The World Economic Forum (WEF) convened a Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 28-29 April 2024. The two-day meeting hosted high-ranking figures, prime ministers and officials from across the Middle East as well as 1,000 global leaders from 92 countries to support global dialogue and find actionable, collaborative and sustainable solutions to shared global challenges.

Catalysing the energy transition was a central theme of the event and leading energy experts as well as dozens of energy ministers and commissioners from around the world were gathered to identify financial, technological and policy solutions aimed at scaling up the use of clean energy solutions while ensuring equitable growth.

H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy and Digitalisation, spoke about the energy access gap in Africa and its impact on socio-economic and human development in a public session on the rise of green molecules. The panel also saw the presence of H.R.H. Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Mr Erasmo Carlos Battistella, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Be8, Mr Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies and Mr Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of Indian Oil.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid first spoke about the need for universal energy access in Africa and the importance of using all available resources to reach this end. “With 50% our people still lacking access to energy, we cannot afford to disregard any solution. All solutions out there must be harnessed by the Continent”, she said. Africa is not only rich with fossil fuels but also has the biggest premium solar potential in the world as well enormous geothermal and wind potential. She added that “Africa has already taken important steps to exploit this potential – Africa hosts the two biggest solar plants in the world in Egypt and Morocco” – but recognised that the need is still very big and that “more has to be done to achieve Africa’s ambitious goals”.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid then discussed how green molecules such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biofuels can provide opportunities to leapfrog towards an equitable and sustainable energy transition. Indeed, she noted that “the availability of natural resources, especially solar and wind, positions Africa as a future leader in green hydrogen production with 6 African countries already producing green hydrogen and 18 more in the process of developing their national green hydrogen strategies”. In addition to this, 4 countries have already started the production of SAF.

The production of green molecules undoubtedly provides a great opportunity for increased export revenues -which are much needed. However, Commissioner Abou-Zeid also noted that was is equally important is “to use these new fuels as a catalyst for socio-economic development, enhance capacity building and skills development to create jobs, local value chains and strong domestic markets”.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid also called for the need “to intensify the work in developing technologies to make them more affordable and more adapted to local needs”.  She added: “customising technologies to provide localised solutions, especially in rural areas will help accelerate the uptake of green molecules at the local level where access to electricity and other energy forms are most needed”

Finally, Commissioner Abou-Zeid made a compelling case for investing in Africa. Investments of almost US$600 billion in green hydrogen are planned across the globe till 2030 but Africa receives almost nothing from this figure. She noted that “Africa is the continent where technologies and investments for green molecules are the most needed with the added benefit that renewable energy is produced locally so there is a higher chance to reduce cost more than anywhere else in the world”. She added: “High demand due to a growing population, abundance of renewable energy on the continent and our proven ability to adopt technology in a rapid manner, makes Africa a frontier market offering huge investment opportunities for the global community”.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid also took part in the session: “Powering Up Together: Strengthening Cross-Regional Collaboration for the Energy Transition” alongside H.E. Alexandre Silveira, Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil, Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, Ayla Majid, Founder and CEO of Planetive, Joseph McMonigle, Secretary-General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), Mark Lundstrom, CEO of Radia, Devansh Jain, Executive Director of INOXGFL and Li Zhenguo, President, of Longi Green Energy Technology Co.

Commissioner Abou-Zeid reflected on Africa’s ambitions for a cross-border and transcontinental single electricity market and the importance of regional partnerships to achieve it. Africa’s sustainable future will inevitably be an interdependent and integrated one, with profound regional collaboration and key to achieve stable and universal access. These partnerships at the African level were translated into the creation of the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the world’s largest single electricity market in the world, covering 55 countries and a population of over 1.3 billion. An integrated African grid will allow to lower electricity costs considerably and speed up much needed universal access.

Partnerships with other regions will also be crucial to share past experiences and achieve the Continent’s ambitious goals. Africa has been cooperating closely with Europe- the first continent to adopt a single electricity market approach- and through this cooperation and partnership, Africa can leverage the lessons learned in Europe and apply them to reach its objectives faster and more efficiently.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

In a ground breaking move, the African Union has established its first a sub-regional network of traditional leaders to be trained in scientific evidence-based methodologies for prevention, treatment and care of drug dependency to widen the reach of community interventions amid a growing challenge of substance use disorders on the continent especially among youth, women and children.

The Southern Africa Network of Traditional Leaders in Drug Demand Reduction (SANTLDDR) was formed at a continental consultation for traditional leaders from countries of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) held from 08-11 April 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. African countries are experiencing an upsurge in public health problems as a result of the increased availability and use of psychoactive substances trafficked into the continent and also produced locally.

Cannabis and khat have traditionally been grown and widely consumed in Africa for centuries. These have been complemented by opiates such as heroin and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, which are increasingly trafficked into the continent with ease. There has also been a new threat posed by the meteoric rise in new synthetic drugs while pharmaceutical opioids such as tramadol and cough syrups containing codeine are invariably diverted for illicit misuse. Drug use and related mental health disorders have become an albatross around the necks of many African Union member states, threatening fragile health care systems struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during the opening of the Consultation, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, HE. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma said the challenge of Substance Use and Related Mental Health Disorders required multi- sectorial solutions.

“As we confront the challenge before us, we must explore indigenous and inclusive ways to strengthen safety nets. Mental health support, resilience-building, and community engagement are essential components of our strategy,” said the Commissioner in a speech read on her behalf by Ms. Angela Martins, Ag. Director, Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development.

Also speaking during the Consultation, South Africa’s Minister of Social Development, Hon. Ms. Lindiwe Zulu said the demand for, and consumption of drugs in traditional communities represented the dark side of integrated global and regional communication and transportation networks through which harmful substances found their way into communities.

“While promoting economic activities, collective prosperity, freedom, human dignity and non-sexism, the SADC sub-region’s traditional leadership must be among the governance structures that assume leading roles in preventing and eliminating harmful elements, in particular substance abuse, that are threatening to destroy our shared social fabric,” said Ms Zulu.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) welcomed the inter-regional structure for Traditional Leadership in Drug Demand Reduction and pledged its support.

UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa, Dr Jane Marie Ong’olo, Regional Representative, said “The first point of contact is indeed traditional authority in all rural communities. Evidence-based treatment for SUDs is needed, not punishment and stigmatization and it is for us to change the trajectory towards a health approach.”

The traditional leaders brainstormed a sub-regional action plan which will be validated at a meeting scheduled for Arusha, Tanzania in September. All Member States in SADC were tasked with establishing and operationalizing national networks of traditional leaders in drug demand reduction.

The establishment of the SANTLDDR follows the establishment last year of the South Africa Traditional and Khoisan Leadership National Network of Traditional Leaders in Drug Demand Reduction as a pilot initiative.

The extensive and ubiquitous network of traditional leaders, with considerable influence over many communities on the continent, could be leveraged to provide a unique platform and the opportunity for people to access drug use prevention, drug use disorders treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration services. Engagements at a recent African Union Conference on drug demand reduction highlighted the potential contribution of Traditional Leaders in drug demand reduction in particular psychoeducation, prevention, early identification, and basic counselling and referral for assessment and treatment. However, this requires supportive tools, training and capacity building.

Cultural heritage could be pivotal to achievement of objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which is the continent’s shared strategic framework for socio-economic transformation towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa – ‘The Africa We want’.

The role of traditional leaders in this commitment is very significant. “Traditional leaders have been identified as key role players in the fight against drugs, given the huge following they command, and the negative impact of drug and substance abuse in traditional communities.” His Majesty Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, Interim Chairperson of SANTLDDR underlined.

Strengthening this, Honorable Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, the Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, said “we are not lacking in terms of legislative and policy direction. All that is needed, is the active involvement and impactful response from the traditional leadership in the region.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

The Department of Local Government, led by the Service Delivery Integration Directorate, has showcased its dedication to enhanced education and social well-being within the Nuwerus community. As part of the Citizen Interface Pilot Programme in Matzikama District Municipality Ward 8, running from April 24th to 26th, 2024, the department has focused its efforts on providing vital resources to Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centers and NGOs.

Through a ceremonious equipment handover, alongside educational materials and related supplies, the department aims to address the pressing needs of deep rural areas, where communities often feel overlooked by governmental support. This initiative underscores the importance of fostering stronger connections between government entities and citizens, particularly in marginalized regions.

This endeavor has been made possible through collaborative efforts with a diverse array of stakeholders, including governmental departments at all levels, NGOs, Community-Based Organizations, and the private sector. Such multi-faceted cooperation reflects a comprehensive approach to community development, emphasizing the significance of collective action in tackling complex social challenges.

Of particular note is the director’s emphasis on the initiative’s broader impact beyond monetary assistance. By providing resources, energy, and forging partnerships, the aim is to instill hope and confidence among the citizens of Nuwerus, illustrating a nuanced understanding of community needs that extends beyond mere financial aid.

In summary, the Department of Local Government’s proactive involvement in supporting education and social well-being in Nuwerus exemplifies a collaborative and citizen-centric approach to governance. These efforts not only strengthen the bond between government and communities but also lay the foundation for sustainable development in the region. As we move forward, let us focus on the work of the coordinated ministries to enhance the lived experiences of the citizens we serve.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Côte d’Ivoire April 28-29, 2024, to reinforce the longstanding partnership between the United States and the Ivoirian government.

During his visit, General Langley engaged in high-level discussions with both military and civilian leadership, including President Alasane Ouattara and the Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Lassina Doumbia, emphasizing the shared commitment to regional stability and security cooperation. The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between the United States and Côte d’Ivoire in addressing common security challenges, including violent extremism and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“Our enduring partnership with Côte d’Ivoire underscores our mutual commitment to fostering peace and enhancing regional security to ensure a prosperous future for all Ivoirians.” said U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Jessica Davis Ba.

General Langley commended the dedication and professionalism of the Ivoirian defense forces, highlighting their pivotal role in regional security initiatives. “The Ivorian military exemplifies a commitment to excellence and serves as a cornerstone of regional stability,” said Langley. “Through joint training exercises and information sharing, we have made significant strides in countering terrorism and violent extremism.”

The U.S. and Ivoirian militaries cooperate on a number of joint training exercises through AFRICOM. Côte d’Ivoire participates in the International Military Education and Training program and contributes to the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative, facilitated by the United States, which aims to develop an interoperable peacekeeping capacity among African nations.

“The U.S. remains committed to supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to enhance security and stability within its borders and across the region,” stated Langley. “Our partnership is founded on mutual respect and a shared vision of promoting peace and prosperity in Africa.”

General Langley reiterated the U.S. commitment to working alongside Côte d’Ivoire and other African nations to promote a secure and prosperous future for the continent.  AFRICOM is providing more than $65 million in 2024 with much of that investment focused on counterterrorism and border security in northern Côte d’Ivoire.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire.