President Mahama receives AETC's vision for Africa's energy transformation

The Africa Energy Technology Centre (AETC) has presented its vision for Africa's energy transformation to President John Dramani Mahama, outlining a strategy aimed at positioning the continent as a producer and exporter of energy technologies.

The presentation was made during a high-level courtesy call led by the Centre's Founder and President, Emelia Cedar-Palm Akumah. The meeting, held under the auspices of the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, brought together government officials, energy sector stakeholders and members of the AETC Board of Directors.

According to the Centre, its long-term strategy seeks to move Africa from dependence on imported energy technologies to becoming a hub for innovation, manufacturing and sustainable energy solutions.

"The future is not something we wait for. It is an architecture we build deliberately, courageously, and sustainably," Akumah said during the meeting.

She said the Centre's vision focuses on strengthening local innovation, entrepreneurship, intellectual property ownership and energy technology manufacturing across the continent.

AETC also briefed the President on several flagship initiatives designed to support Africa's energy transition.

Among them is the Youth Energy Entrepreneurship and Incubation Programme (YEEIP), which aims to equip young Africans with technical skills, business development support, mentorship and access to finance to establish energy-focused enterprises.

The Centre also outlined plans for the Africa Smart Energy Technology and Innovation Hub, intended to promote research, technology development and intellectual property creation within the energy sector.

Another key initiative is the Ghana National Solar Prosumer Initiative, which seeks to expand rooftop solar generation through supportive net-metering policies. The programme aims to enable households, businesses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and public institutions to generate and consume their own electricity while reducing pressure on the national grid.

During the meeting, President Mahama endorsed the Africa Energy Technology Conference, the Centre's flagship annual event that brings together heads of state, policymakers, investors, researchers, technology developers and development partners to promote energy innovation and investment across the continent.

The Centre described the President's endorsement as a significant boost to its efforts to advance African-led solutions to the continent's energy challenges.

Speaking after the engagement, Akumah said Africa must take ownership of its energy future by developing technologies on the continent and creating globally competitive industries.

"Our goal is to forge an energy future that is designed, built, owned and exported by Africans," she said.

Headquartered in Accra, the Africa Energy Technology Centre is a pan-African institution that promotes energy technology innovation, youth entrepreneurship, local content development, intellectual property creation and policy harmonisation across Africa.