There are obstacles facing the Akon Lighting Africa project, singer…
The entire Solektra International team has been working on the 2016 development plan knowing that incredible progress has been made since 2014 – but that there is still a long way to go to electrify Africa.
We are proud of what we have achieved to date with programs in 15 countries, through the Akon lighting Africa initiative, as we demonstrated with proven results that we can electrify Africa – quickly. There was so much enthusiasm in the villages and amongst our political stakeholders that we have no choice but to continue to ride the momentum. We look towards the future with ambition and humility, knowing that we are only part of the answer of the energy crisis in Africa. We know we must mobilize both the public and private sector and unite to bring light to Africa.
Among those we have met with is Jean-Louis Borloo, a French former Minister of Ecology. Early this year, Borloo launched a foundation named Energies for Africa. To those who say, “just another foundation”, we encourage you to investigate this project carefully. Borloo’s vision is that of an African supranational agency that would help African governments to implement electrification plans, while being able to raise funds to complete the financing of sustainable energy projects. Hence, Borloo seeks to mobilize all stakeholders around a common vision, that of a Pan-African governance on energy, in order to address quickly the energy access issues in Africa – these issues prevent the development of the continent and lead to unbearable situations.
We believe in this vision and we thank Jean-Louis Borloo for his efforts to reach out to all stakeholders and for expressing his thirst for change. Borloo speaks tirelessly to public authorities, in France, within the European Union, Africa and other international regions. Borloo has responded to the urgent message that Africa must be electrified and will do his best.
We share this vision, and hope that this governance on energy will emerge by joining the efforts of all parties involved such as Energies for Africa, Fondation Energies pour l’Afrique, African Energy Leaders Group, African Development Bank, Power Africa, supporters of the Electrify project, the private sector, etc… Together we can unite all the skills and competencies required to work together in the service of Africans.
We reflect this vision. What makes our project sustainable is the fact that it is a pan-African program enabling an inclusive growth throughout the continent; and the fact that it will develop a solid solar industry in Africa and we will not leave any village behind.
We need commitments, public-private partnerships, innovative financing.
We need a governance on energy on our continent.
Let us give ourselves the means to quickly transform Africa – our community.
Akon
Co-founder of Solektra international, which has launched the Akon Lighting Africa initiative
*** At the summit on June 15, African Heads of States unanimously decided to set up a African Intergovernmental Agency on energy and the project was also discussed by the Pan-African Parliament 5 October, 5 2015. More at: www.energiespourlafrique.org/eng
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