African Union at the World Economic Forum
From January 20th to 24th, 2025, global leaders gathered in the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland, with the theme of “cooperation in the intelligent era”. The focus of this activity is to deal with some of the most urgent challenges in the world, including the transition of energy, energy security (AI) and technological innovation in the era of artificial intelligence, and industrialization also occupy the central stage.
The African Union Committee was discussed by Dr. He Amani Abou-Zeid, and infrastructure and energy commissioners participated in these discussions. The commissioner emphasizes the potential of Africa in promoting the global energy transition, and emphasizes the key pillars in the African Economic Development Amber. In this article, we will intervene in some key meetings in the forum.
Permanent hardware: scaling cleaning technology
One of the most striking discussions was at the “Permanent Hardware: Scaling Cleaning Technology” conference on January 24. The meeting discussed the role of cleaning technology in solving climate change. The key point of conversation is that a strong regulatory framework and policies need to accelerate clean technology innovation.
Dr. Abou-Zeid talked about Africa’s natural resources, especially its huge mineral reserves, emphasizing the potential of the continent’s expansion of cleaning technology, especially in energy and water infrastructure. As the youngest mainland, Africa’s unique positions can lead the allegations of using and expanding cleaning technology.
Overview Africa’s ambitious goal of achieving 75 % of renewable energy in the energy combination. The commissioner believes that through the local investment and supply chain diversification of the value chain, the goal can reach the goal. This desire is not only designed to ensure sustainable development, but also to create employment opportunities and attract investment. In addition, the African Union is also committed to positioning the mainland as leaders in the field of sustainable mining, especially in key minerals that extract the global clean energy economy.
Gustavo Pimenta, CEO of Vale, reiterated the importance of mining in energy transitions and emphasized that these materials are the key to providing power for renewable energy technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also emphasized as a transformation tool, especially in the mining and other industries. Breakthrough Energy Vice President Ann Mettler emphasized that it is necessary to ensure the urgency of sustainable future energy diversification.
Commissioners clarify the participation of the African Union in promoting sustainable aviation fuel, green hydrogen and energy efficiency, and emphasizing the importance of integrating AI to promote real -time data and accelerate African energy, infrastructure and industrialization departments.
Industrialization is the catalyst of African economic strategy
In another important conference on “industrialization of African economic strategic catalysts: enhanced self-sufficient and global competitive catalysts”, the commissioner Abou-Zeid has strengthened the core role of industrialization in Africa’s growth. She explained that industrialization is essential for alleviating poverty, creating employment opportunities and more participation in global value chain stores.
Although Africa has made some progress, its manufacturing industry contributes to 10.4 % to GDP and increases by 3.6 % each year, but there is still a large gap to shrink. Africa currently has only 3 % of global GDP, accounting for 2 % of global manufacturing value, and 1 % of global exports.
One of the main challenges of Africa’s industrialization is the mainland dependence on export raw materials and imported products. The commissioner Abou-Zeid emphasizes the largest example of Nigeria producer Nigeria. The producer of the cassava is still importing a processing cassava product worth more than $ 600 million each year. This is largely due to infrastructure defects and limited domestic processing capabilities Essence She called for the formulation of strong industrial policies to encourage increased value and strengthen connection in regional and international value chains.
In order to accelerate the industrialization, the African Union launched several initiatives, including Africa Free Trade Zone (AFCFTA) and Africa Accelerating Industrial Development (AIDA)Focus on agricultural processing, mining, medicine and textiles. These measures, and African mining vision (AMV) and African Infrastructure Development Plan (PIDA)It aims to improve industrial output, increase trade, and improve competitiveness.
Power of competitiveness: Set the agenda of the industrial policy
On January 22, 2025, the commissioner Abou-ZEID delivered a speech at the “Competitive Path: Establishment of the Establishment of the Industrial Policy Aired Aired Aversion”. She emphasizes the key role of Africa’s global transition to the transition of clean energy, and emphasizes the huge mineral reserves of the mainland, including more than 30 % of the world’s key materials for renewable energy technology.
The commissioner Abou-Zeid emphasizes responsible mining practice, the importance of local charities, and adds value to raw materials. Through this, Africa can meet global demand while stimulating the local economy. She pointed out that Africa’s huge renewable energy potential, especially in solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower, positioning the mainland as the future leader of green hydrogen production.
In addition to natural advantages, Africa is also implementing key measures to change its industrial landscape. For example, the PIDA plan is trying to improve the connection of the entire energy, transportation and ICT, which will release opportunities for regional value chains and Africa internal trade. AFCFTA, which aims to increase African internal trade by 52.3 % by 2025, is the main part of this transformation. The commissioner Abou-Zeid emphasized the importance of creating a favorable investment atmosphere to release the importance of all industrial potential of Africa, and pointed out that foreign direct investment in 2023 increased to $ 164 billion.
Promoting progress: funding for energy transition
During the “Power Progress: Financing Energy Transition Conference”, the commissioner Abou-Zeid emphasized that sufficient financing is essential to achieve global energy transition. She pointed out that most of the capital required must come from the private sector due to limited public funds. Creating a strong investment business case through stable policies and predictable frameworks is the key to attract the necessary capital.
Due to nearly 40 % of renewable energy resources, Africa may lead the transition of clean energy, as long as it can overcome the views of hindering investment risks. The African Union has made great progress in this field, coordinated policies and formulated African Single Market and Mainland Power System Master Plan (CMP)Both Acting 2063Under it Plan for implementation plan for the twentieth yearEssence
The commissioner Abou-Zeid advocates dangerous efforts so that Africa is more attractive to investors, and calls for adopting tolerance and fair methods to fund energy transitions. By solving the gap between energy channels, especially for 600 million people without modern energy and 900 million people without clean cooking, Africa can establish a sustainable climate energy system.
G20 & Africa is just a transition
In his speech on January 23, 2025, Dr. Abou-Zeid, Dr. ABOID, Dr. ABOID, Dr. ABOID in the G20 and Africa, laid the foundation for Africa’s energy transition, which brought opportunities and challenges. “For Africa, a fair energy transition must be given priority to energy acquisition, support industrialization and ensure the sustainable use of its energy resources.” The common position of African Energy Channel and the transition of fair energyPass in 2022. It is worth noting African Single Power Market (AFSEM) initiative The goal of establishing a unified energy market in 2040 aims to increase the share of renewable energy in Africa’s power portfolio to 75.
The key measures to promote the transition from Africa, including African energy efficiency strategies and action plans, African green hydrogen strategies, and accelerated sustainable aviation fuel development. In addition, the African Energy Transition Strategy and African Clean Cooking Plan are formulating to help African countries implement the waybarba and clean cooking solutions. Read more hereEssence
The one -week event provides a valuable opportunity for the African Union, which can advocate that Africa lead leadership in the global efforts around sustainable energy, industrialization and economic growth. With its rich natural resources and emphasizing innovation, AU positions the mainland as a key driving force for global economic transformation.
It is distributed by APO Group on behalf of the African Union (AU).
