The 3rd Renewable Energies Week commenced with fervor as the Malian Minister of Young People and Sports, Civic Education and Citizenship, Abdoul Kassim Fomba, presided over the event on behalf of Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga. The week-long event, dedicated to advancing renewable energy initiatives, underscores Mali’s commitment to sustainable development in the Sahel region of West Africa.
During the opening ceremony, Minister Fomba reaffirmed the government’s dedication, along with key stakeholders, to propel the development of renewable energies in Mali. The event focuses on promoting opportunities within Mali’s renewable energy sector, particularly highlighting the country’s investment plan for the Renewable Energies Integration Programme, funded by the Climate Investment Fund under the African Development Bank’s Desert to Power initiative. This ambitious plan seeks to accelerate Mali’s transition to a cleaner and more diverse energy mix while bolstering energy resilience.
Malian Minister of Energy and Water, Bintou Camara, lauded the exploration of advances and opportunities in renewable energies within Mali, describing it as captivating progress.
Renewable Energies Week serves as a platform for sharing best practices and innovative ideas aimed at fostering the adoption and integration of renewable energies across various sectors of Mali’s economy. Government officials elaborated on the investment plan’s intricacies, addressing both its challenges and opportunities.
Adalbert Nshimyumuremyi, head of the African Development Bank’s country office in Mali, reiterated the Bank’s unwavering support for Mali’s renewable energy endeavors, emphasizing the importance of achieving energy access targets.
The event aims to strengthen partnerships among stakeholders, investors, and civil society. Participants were briefed on the completion of a study recommending the integration of solar power into Mali’s electricity system, proposing an increase in solar production capacity by 1,400 megawatts by 2035, necessitating an investment of approximately EUR 1.14 billion.
Franklin Gbedey, the Bank’s head of renewable energies, emphasized Mali’s significance within the Desert to Power initiative, highlighting its potential to positively impact populations by ensuring permanent access to high-quality and affordable electricity.
Renewable Energies Week signifies Mali’s steadfast commitment to renewable energy development, marking a pivotal step towards a sustainable and resilient energy future for the nation and the Sahel region.
