Ethiopia’s Renewable Energy Potential Opens New Avenues for African Cooperation

Representatives from the Uganda Solar Energy Association and the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria highlighted Ethiopia’s renewable energy potential as a catalyst for regional cooperation. Paddy Bakengana from Uganda noted that solar-powered irrigation and drying technologies could significantly enhance agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses in both Ethiopia and Uganda. He emphasized that partnerships between renewable energy associations could facilitate technical training, knowledge exchange, and joint policy advocacy to accelerate clean energy adoption.

Meanwhile, Motunrayo Akinfala, CEO of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, identified electric mobility as a promising area for cooperation among Ethiopia, Nigeria, and other African nations. She called for stronger regional partnerships to attract investors and development partners to support the expansion of clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. The discussions underscore the importance of leveraging technical expertise and shared resources to drive agricultural transformation and energy transition across Africa.