KIGALI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Participants at the inaugural Africa Energy Expo 2024, underway in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, called for sustainable energy solutions across the continent to power its future.

The three-day event, running until Wednesday, gathered government officials, regulators, industry leaders, and energy experts under the theme "Investments, Integration, Infrastructure, and Governance to Fuel the Energy Transition."

The expo aims to tackle Africa's energy challenges while advancing the continent's goals under the Africa Power Vision and Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy.

Speaking at the event, Olivier Kabera, Rwanda's minister of state in the Ministry of Infrastructure, underscored the critical role of sustainable energy in Africa's development.

"This summit is both timely and significant as we navigate one of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing our continent-sustainable energy development. Africa holds immense natural wealth, yet we face real challenges in meeting the energy needs of our rapidly growing populations and dynamic economies," he said.

Kabera highlighted Rwanda's commitment to universal electrification, noting the country's achievement of an 80 percent access rate through a combination of on-grid and off-grid solutions. "Energy is not merely a commodity but a catalyst for development, innovation, and social equity. Our progress is part of the broader picture of African energy aspirations," he added.

Discussions at the event also explored various approaches to closing Africa's energy gap. Panels focused on identifying energy-deficient areas, promoting renewable sources like wind and solar, and ensuring last-mile electrification in remote communities. Key topics included the need for infrastructure upgrades to create resilient, interconnected grids and establishing successful public-private partnerships.

Ibrahim Matola, Malawi's minister of energy, underscored the private sector's vital role in bridging investment gaps, noting that increased private sector investment in transmission, distribution, and generation infrastructure is crucial to meeting Africa's energy demands.

Ade Yesufu, with the exhibition organizer Informa Markets, praised the collaborative atmosphere of the expo, highlighting its unique position as an energy platform "designed for Africans -- in Africa -- by Africans."

"The Africa Energy Expo is a dynamic display of the need for transformative solutions to Africa's energy needs and the willingness of senior stakeholders on the continent to come together to provide meaningful, sustainable solutions," he added.

Participants at the event called for a robust policy framework to leverage the African Single Electricity Market, emphasizing that regional cooperation and integration are crucial for establishing a sustainable energy market. They also highlighted the importance of effective regulatory frameworks to attract private investors to clean energy projects, alongside capacity-building initiatives to support local entrepreneurship in the sector.

The expo features over 120 exhibitors from the renewable energy, transmission, distribution, and energy management industries, showcasing the breadth of Africa's rapidly expanding energy sector. Enditem

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