‘1.2bn Without Access To Electricity’

No fewer than 1.2 billion people currently live without access to electricity while more than 2.7 billion people are without clean cooking facilities, an energy expert has said.
The Marketing Manager of African Energy Forum, Mr. Amy Offord said this in a statement sent from the headquarters in London to our correspondent.
Offord said that  over 95 per cent of the affected people, located either in sub-Saharan Africa or developing Asia, existed on a vast gap which must be closed.
He said that the policy makers and stakeholders should fill the gap to hasten the development of Africa’s power sector.
According to him, to fast-track development in the sector, West Africa will come under the spotlight at the 18th Africa Energy Forum (AEF) coming up in London in June.
“The forum will try to uncover solutions to Africa’s energy deficit and present opportunities which will drive project investments on the continent, acting as a catalyst for economic development.
“AEF is the global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
“It is expected to welcome 1,000 investors, 500 public sector stakeholders, 300 technology providers, 270 developers and 70 countries.
“It is also widely regarded as the most important networking event of the year for Africa’s energy community; global investors attend to collectively find solutions to the challenges in the sector. “
Offord said that the conference would include countries and regions to discuss mergers and acquisitions of electricity infrastructure.
He said it would also focus on discussions on the impact of Climate Change Conference (COP 21) and COP22 on investment and off-grid solutions.
“The discussions will explore the relationship among Africa and countries such as the UK, USA and China on investment in power sector.
“It also features a buzzing exhibition of over 80 solution providers who supply to the African continent”, the expert said.
He said that the decision to move the forum to the UK this year was to capitalise on the investment potential of the United Kingdom.
The official said that the decision was also to promote the strong trade relationship between the UK and Africa.
He said that the Africa Energy Forum was open to investors and developers with a vested interest in Africa’s energy and industrial sectors.