IEA and African Development Bank deliver first online energy efficiency training for Sub-Saharan Africa

The International Energy Agency and the African Development Bank (AfDB) recently held their first joint training course on energy efficiency, underlining the central role that energy efficiency can play in addressing the global energy crisis and the multiple benefits it can bring to developing economies, including in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Regional Training on Energy Efficiency Policy Packages for Sub-Saharan Africa was held online from 21 to 25 November, gathering nearly 300 regional policy makers and energy professionals. It presented a detailed introduction to energy efficiency policy packages, followed by sector-based sessions focused on appliances, buildings, industry and transport. In line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), the training aimed to support development and implementation of policies that can lower energy costs and carbon emissions while supporting economic growth.

The section on energy efficiency policy was based on the IEA’s policy package approach and highlighted best practices both from around the world and within the Sub-Saharan Africa region, building on the successful launch of the IEA’s Africa Energy Outlook 2022 and the IEA initiative to promote clean energy transitions in Africa through enhanced regional collaboration.

Throughout the five-day course, expert speakers shared international and regional experiences, with insights from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Australia, Mauritius, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the European Union, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, the United Nations Environment Programme, the AfDB and the IEA. Online polls were used throughout the week to engage with participants.

“One of the objectives of the training is to welcome more people to the IEA’s energy efficiency family – so that we can all work together and support each other on propelling effective energy efficiency policy,” said Brian Motherway, Head of the Energy Efficiency Division at the IEA. “The breadth of examples we heard about this week are a testament to the incredible work going on both in Sub-Saharan Africa and around the world to drive forward energy efficiency, which boosts energy savings, reduces costs and lowers emissions.”

Jalel Chabchoub, Chief Energy Efficiency Specialist and Investment Officer at the AfDB’s Energy Efficiency and Clean Cooking Division, said: “The training session provided a good opportunity for African countries to share success stories about energy efficiency policies and programmes and to benefit from international experiences to progress further and consider energy efficiency as a priority for sustainable development. Africa has significant needs in terms of energy systems development and energy efficiency can play a central role with regard to SDG 7.”

The event, which forms part of the IEA’s Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Programme and was carried out with funding from the Agency’s Clean Energy Transitions Programme, aims to help build a community of practice so that effective energy efficiency policies can play an essential role in clean energy transitions, making them more affordable and accessible to all.