The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) African Natural Resources Centre and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa has hosted the first in a series of webinars discussing the potential of Africa’s blue economy
The webinar, held on 23 November, centered around a study on the potential of offshore renewable energy in Africa commissioned by the African Natural Resources Centre as part of a series to inform policymaking, planning, and investment in blue economy strategies in Africa. The findings were presented by Linus Hammar from Octopus Ink Research & Analysis, Sweden.
The audience received an analysis of the potential of the offshore renewable energy that Africa possesses, beginning with an overview of coastal and island countries and prospects for commercial development.
According to Leontine Kanziemo, advisor on Natural Resources Management at the African Natural Resources Centre, “Offshore renewable energy can considerably support the expansion of renewable energy capacity, for coastal and island countries, while helping to lower the energy costs associated with importing fossil fuels.”
Olivier Ceberio, chief operation officer at Resolute Marine Energy, and Philippe Ong Seng, CEO at Urban Cooling Ltd, presented case studies of offshore energy projects supported by the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa is a multi-donor special fund that aims to promote private sector investment in sustainable energy, in line with the bank’s new deal on Energy for Africa and Sustainable Development Goal 7, relating to universal energy access.
The African Natural Resources Centre generates high-quality knowledge and engages in policy dialogue. It also provides technical support to regional member countries on natural resources planning, investment, and governance, with a focus on land, forestry, fisheries, water, oil, gas and minerals.
