• There is no meaningful development that can happen without the use of electricity.
• The energy issue in Africa should be considered a priority sector, and governments must put maximum effort into developing the energy sector.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA) CEO Andrew Amadi said energy, specifically electricity, is the most important determinant of economic growth. He noted that no country in the world has become rich without electricity and added that countries need to move towards using energy for production and value addition.

There is no meaningful development that can happen without the use of electricity, Amadi stated, and noted, “I think the integration of electricity is very timely because it will level the availability across countries.” The CEO elaborated his statement, “So if we connected, for example; we have connected Kenya to Ethiopia, if we connect Kenya to Tanzania, then from Tanzania to Rwanda; you can be able to supply electricity from the hydro in Ethiopia to Rwanda and turn down the generators they are using to generate electricity. That is the importance of integration,”

Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) Director-General Abel Didier Tella said, on his part, there will be no meaningful development unless countries invest in energy. The energy issue in Africa should be considered a priority sector, and governments must put maximum effort into developing the energy sector. He further explained, “When investors come to Africa, they see Africa as a place where you can come and take raw material. Now they have to change their views; they have to see Africa as a place where mining development support energy development, where we transform our raw materials before export, where we transform our raw materials and manufacture to create jobs and empower the youth with the skill to work in factories”.

Ethiopia has been working to strengthen its hydropower generation to export electric power to neighbouring countries to expedite regional economic integration and secure foreign currency. The demand for electric power by neighbouring countries is increasing from time to time; the government has been intensifying efforts to expand infrastructures vital to addressing this need.