AFDB, JAPAN TO LAUNCH INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT NEW DEAL ON ENERGY

NAIROBI, The Government of Japan and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a Letter of Intent to launch the Japan-Africa Energy Initiative (JAEI) to provide significant support to the New Deal on Energy for Africa aimed at achieving universal access to energy by 2025, using available energy sources and the most advanced technologies.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded African Union (AU) Summit held in Addis Ababa, according to a statement received here Tuesday.

Following discussions initiated by African leaders during the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-VI) held in Nairobi in 2016 and a visit of AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina to Japan, the Japanese government confirmed its commitment to support the development of the Japan-Africa Energy Initiative.

The initiative will significantly contribute towards Africa’s efforts to achieve universal access to energy and to transform its energy systems through a balanced and pragmatic least-cost energy mix that encompasses renewable and conventional sources. Under this initiative, the Bank will take the lead in project development in close consultation with member countries.

Japan stands ready to provide up to 6.0 billion US dollars in both concessional and non-concessional finance for a variety of energy operations which will support the provision of electricity for homes, schools, hospitals, agriculture, industries and clean cooking.

The initiative will support the full range of activities associated with public and private sector energy projects preparation, construction and operations, through a mix of financing and technical assistance.

The statement quoted Adesina as saying: I would like to thank the Government of Japan for their longstanding support to the AfDB, and to the African continent. I welcome Japan’s support for the New Deal on Energy for Africa through this Initiative, which is another milestone in the Bank’s long-standing collaboration with Japan and a strong endorsement of the Bank’s first High 5 to Light Up and Power Africa.

Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Shinichi Saida, conveyed the message of Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Japan: We strongly hope that, through this Initiative, Japan can contribute to accelerating the provision of electricity in Africa, including through its best available low-emitting clean coal technologies, thus leading to inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa.

The Bank and the Government of Japan will work on the implementation arrangements over the coming weeks to effectively support projects as early as the end of 2017.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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