The energy transition in Africa was at the heart of discussions during the fifth meeting organized by young people from EU-AU cooperation, European Youth Event 2023, in Strasbourg on June 10. Deputy Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST), Aminata Namasia, represented the DRC government at this global event. “The energy sector in Africa is vital for socio-economic prospects, improved livelihoods and access to opportunities. It remains a major development challenge for the continent as more than 700 million people still cook with traditional biomass. “, she mentioned in her speech.
The energy transition is a key element of socio-economic growth in Africa, where energy demand has increased by almost 3%, becoming the highest in the world. Thus, it is essential to increase bilateralism between Europe and Africa for a sustainable energy transition.
However, the Deputy Minister also pointed out that climate change is an issue that arises in the form of unexpected and extreme weather events in Africa. Nuclear tests, industrial accidents and other environmental disasters, such as oil spills, have a direct impact on the environment and can lead to considerable human and financial losses.
The resources that are available on the African continent, such as cobalt, gas, lithium, nickel, copper, are assets that must be exploited to support the energy transition of European countries, without hindering the development of African countries.
In short, it is time to promote a broader vision of the energy transition which takes into account Africa’s needs in terms of clean energy and which aims to provide all African peoples with access to energy. ‘durable energy