The event “Breaking borders: the energy transition at the heart of relations between Europe and Africa” was held on June 10 in Strasbourg as part of the 5th edition of the meeting organized by young people from cooperation EU-UA, European Youth Event 2023. The Deputy Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Aminata Namasia, represented the government of the country at this meeting.
According to the Deputy Minister, the energy sector in Africa is of great importance for socio-economic development, improved livelihoods and access to opportunities. However, more than 700 million people still cook with traditional biomass, posing a major challenge for the continent. In line with population growth, energy demand in Africa has been growing at an annual rate of around 3%, being the highest in the world.
Ms. Namasia also points out that recent events in Ukraine have had an impact on global economies, including in the energy sector in Africa.
“Africa has significant untapped fossil fuel reserves, with new discoveries of natural gas that could attract foreign direct investment and export earnings much needed for its green development. However, climate change is a growing issue. arises in the form of unexpected and extreme weather events,” she added.
According to the Deputy Minister, the energy model that characterizes relations between Europe and Africa does not seem sustainable. On the one hand, Europe depends on non-renewable fossil fuels to maintain its development, and on the other hand, part of the economy of African countries is based on the exploitation of non-renewable energies.
It is therefore necessary to establish closer collaboration between Europe and Africa for a sustainable energy transition. The resources available on the African continent, such as cobalt, gas, lithium, nickel, copper and many others, must make it possible to support the energy transition of European countries without hindering the development of African countries, which are partly dependent on fossil fuel exports.
This meeting was an opportunity for the Deputy Minister to present the DRC government’s vision for the future within the framework of the energy transition for the development of a real strategic partnership between the European Union and Africa.