In a landmark initiative to boost energy access across Eastern and Southern Africa, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the World Bank recently launched the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) programme, with a funding envelope of US$5 billion.
In a statement, COMESA said ASCENT aims to deliver new electricity connections to 100 million people in the region, addressing both on-grid and off-grid (Distributed Renewable Energy) solutions as well as clean cooking initiatives and the approach targets an increase in sustainable and clean energy access, with particular benefits anticipated for women and other underserved populations.
“ASCENT programme is aimed at accelerating energy access efforts in the eastern and southern African region, with a target delivery of new electricity connections for 100 million people. The programme development objective, to which participating countries and regional institutions will contribute, is to increase access to sustainable and clean energy in eastern and southern African countries. Access to energy includes on-grid and off-grid (Distributed Renewable Energy) electricity solutions and clean cooking,” read the statement
The initiative is designed to leverage the proposed International Development Association (IDA) envelope of US$5 billion, demonstrating the World Bank’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal number 7 in the region.
The programme also aims to mobilize an additional US$10 billion from various development partners, governments, national utilities, private sector and commercial funders, carbon markets, climate financiers, and philanthropic organizations. World Bank director of regional integration for Africa, Middle East, and North Africa, Ms. Boutheina Guermazi, underscored the importance of the initiative.
“Ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy for all is a key element of the World Bank regional integration strategy for Africa. It is essential to strengthen regional integration, giving a boost to trade in goods and services, allowing digital transformation, attracting investments and allowing faster flow of knowledge and innovations,” she said .
COMESA Secretary General Mrs. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe highlighted the need for a multifaceted approach to the energy challenge.
“Financial resources are essential, but they are not sufficient on their own. We need a holistic approach that includes support to policy and legal reforms, technical assistance, capacity building, and outreach activities, among others. I am glad to note that all these aspects are embedded in the design of the ASCENT Project,” she said.
Zimbabwe, a member of the 21-nation COMESA bloc, stands to benefit significantly from the ASCENT programme. The power deficit in Southern Africa, exacerbated by El Niño weather conditions disrupting rainfall patterns, highlights the urgent need for such initiatives. In Zimbabwe, low inflows into Kariba Dam have particularly affected hydroelectric power generation.
