Closing Speech by Stuart Kufeni, CEO, SADC-DFRC at the Renewable Energy workshop

The Secretary General of AADFI – Mr. Joseph Amihere,

Senior Officials of our Partner Institutions – the ADI, AADFI and DBSA,

Speakers here present,

Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate all participants for their commitment and dedication in going through this programme over the past week.

It is my fervent hope that you have found this experience productive and worthwhile, and that the programme has enhanced your knowledge and understanding of the key issues in the energy sector in general, and in particular, the challenges of seeking out and utilizing alternative and renewable energy resources, so critical to our regional development programmes.

More importantly, you have been able to position your institution as potential and key players in the financing of such projects, and that, not only may these become an important component of your portfolios but that you would also be leaders in the development programmes of your respective countries and indeed the region in this sector.

I am aware that you have had various presentations on the subject matter and the last thing you want to listen to is yet another lecture on renewable energy. But, kindly bear with me if I walk over the same territory for this would be only for purposes of illustration and emphasis.

There is no doubt that generation and provision of energy is one of the biggest challenges in the continent. The current energy crisis, especially in the Southern Africa region, bears ample testimony to this, and only underscores the need for prioritizing the identification and development of alternative and renewable sources of energy.

The positive and significant effect on the economic and social lives of our peoples cannot be overemphasized. It is a fact that huge resource gaps exist for development of vast infrastructure projects and their maintenance, among these the energy sector. The situation is even direr given the competing development needs