Energy Sub-Saharan Africa

Along with technical support and capacity reinforcement, the main goals are to; improve tracking against energy-related NDCs, SDGs and other policy goals, enhance long-term energy planning, increase access to modern and renewable energy, and expanding the use of digital services in energy systems are particular areas of focus.

Overall, to strengthen the capacity of governments in selected sub-Saharan African countries to implement evidence-based and data-driven policies for sustainable energy. The capacity building activities took place in two phases:

Activities conducted during Phase I focused on two workstreams: energy data and modelling principles. This phase started with an inception stage dedicated to the setup of the implementation, then, a pilot online training on energy data and modelling was conducted with Senegal. Activities initially planned had to be adapted due to Covid-19 and the online training courses were refined and increased to produce a 25-hour course of live and interactive webinars teaching the basics of energy statistics and modelling using practical case studies and exercises. This online course has been delivered to nine countries, namely Senegal, Ethiopia, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda. In parallel, continuous activities were proposed to the community of energy professionals from all focus countries.

In the second phase of the initiative, a distinctive approach was adopted, shaped largely by the insights and feedback garnered from the first phase. This phase was organized around a three-stage training plan, each stage designed to progressively develop and refine the energy modelling capabilities of the participating countries. The methodology was tailored to empower these countries in building national energy models that would resonate with their specific energy strategies and policy needs.

The first stage of this phase involved comprehensive demand-side data mapping. This stage was initiated through a series of webinars directed at national officials from the participating countries. These sessions delved into the fundamental principles of demand-side data, assisting the administrations in identifying critical data gaps and setting priorities for data collection and analysis. Following these webinars, the officials embarked on the task of collecting and developing the necessary model inputs, laying the groundwork for the subsequent stages.

In the scope of data enhancement activities, the IEA collaborated with 3 Nigerian public institutions (Federal Ministry of Power as beneficiary, Energy Commission of Nigeria as technical partner, and National Bureau of Statistics as the implementer) by providing technical support to develop a residential energy demand-side survey for all fuels across all geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The survey also includes questions on energy access, lighting and cooking equipment, as well as residential appliances and aims to accelerate Nigeria’s efforts to achieve SDG 7 as well as other climate and energy policy goals. The survey work was launched at a high-level event, co-organized by the IEA with the participation of the Nigerian Minister of Power.

The final stage of Phase II saw participants engage in an intensive training regimen, encompassing both online and in-person components. The training was designed to be hands-on and practical, focusing on key areas such as energy balances, demand-side projections, scenario-based modelling, and flexibility in energy systems. Select participants from each country, identified for their potential and expertise, were offered a three-week training course. This course included a blend of online learning and in-person training sessions, held in diverse locations to provide a rich, contextual learning experience. The comprehensive nature of this training was aimed at equipping the participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to calibrate and refine their national energy models effectively.

The IEA convened national statisticians and policy advisors across energy ministries, national statistics offices, and energy agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa for a regional energy statistics workshop in Ethiopia on 6-8 May 2024 as a concluding regional activity within the programme, funded by the European Commission.

The workshop created a space to discuss how to setup effective collaboration among institutions, how to identify relevant user needs, how to collect information across the various sectors of the economy, as well as the legal aspects associated with the development of energy information systems. It also allowed a space to more generally discuss reflections on the approaches and lessons learnt from the four-year data and modelling IEA programme for Sub-Saharan African countries.