COP27: Raila calls for more investments on renewable energy in Africa

The African Union high representative has said this will require the efforts of both the public and private sectors to close the gap.

Raila noted that the lack of reliable energy is scaling back development in Africa.

Africa has been termed as the dark continent for the longest time due to its low energy production. 

Close to 650 million people do not have access to stable energy, while consumption on the continent is the lowest with the average consumer using less than 200 kWh which is less than what is needed to power a modern refrigerator.

The Africa Special Advisor on Infrastructure said that low energy penetration on the continent is contributing greatly to the high poverty levels due to lack of industrial development. 

Raila said the continent needs to team up with the private sector to deepen investment in the sector more so in the renewable energy sector.

Speaking to Citizen Digital in Sharm El Sheikh, Raila called for more investment in renewable energy saying only less the 50% of energy is from renewable sources in the African continent.

Kenya has been recognized as a major mover in renewable energy, with close to 80 percent of the country's energy being generated from clean sources, while the country targets to transition to renewable energy in three years' time.

Raila echoed the same during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt.