Africa has a colossal amount of untapped renewable energy resources, its hydroelectric power alone would be enough to provide for the continent as a whole, even with some surplus for export. Potential energy from wind, solar and geothermal sources also have good prospects if utilised, according to the joint report. In recent years, several African nations have begun to capitalise on their natural resource endowments – Kenya increased its production of geothermal energy, Ethiopia its hydroelectric capacity and Mauritius its bioenergy production. Hydropower currently remains the most prominently used, but only uses 4.3 percent of the continent’s total capacity.

With the African continent named the “growth continent of the 21st century” by Pascal Lamy, the head of the WTO, countries will seek to find ways to unlock access to clean energy to accompany this growth. One of the key ingredients to attaining this is technology transfer, which is currently being impeded by a lack of intellectual property right enforcement. As a result, companies are currently reluctant to offer knowledge necessary for CET implementation.

Although patent application numbers are low, the growth rate in Africa between 1980 and 2004 has been higher than the global average, at 5% and 4% respectively. Most significantly, during this period, mitigation technologies rose at a rate of 59 percent. To leverage this progress, recommendations in the report are aimed towards increasing support for technologies which support low-carbon growth across the continent. These will also reduce deaths linked to indoor air pollution caused by solid fuel use and kerosene for heating and lighting.


Sources:
Patents and clean energy technologies in Africa, UNEP-EPO - May 2013

New UN study highlights huge potential for generating clean energy in Africa, UN News centre – 13 May 2013

The EU criticised the inflexibility shown by the Pacific countries concerning negotiations over fisheries, questioning the effectiveness of the conservation measures applied in the fleets owned by the Pacific countries.

Negotiations have been ongoing for the past 10 years, and the LDCs are pushing for a comprehensive deal to be struck before the end of this year. The speaker called for the deal to be a “vehicle for sustainable development” rather than solely a tool to increase trade.

Sources:
PACP will not tolerate extension of EPA negotiations: Fiji Trade Minister, Islands business – 16 May 2013

Long way to go for island nations on EPA, The Fiji times – 18 May 2013

Sugar quotas are decided within the Single Common Market Organisation (SCMO) where producers benefit from an EU-funded scheme intended to assist crop growers. Quotas limit the maximum quantity of sugar benefiting from a guarantee on price and on disposal.

The ACP/LDC countries feel that the 2017 deadline is too short to allow for adaptation, modernisation, diversification and improvement of their competitiveness.

However, according to the head of soft commodities of Ecobank - a commercial entity operating in several African regions - the end of sugar quotas could encourage further intra-African trade in sugar given Ethiopia and Nigeria’s current plans to increase production.

Sources:
Conseil de l’UE: les quotas sucriers devraient expirer en 2017, CTA Bruxelles - 22 mai 2013

ACP/LDC sugar group deeply disappointed with EU council proposal on sugar, Bruxelles - 21 Mars 2013

Europe Sugar-Quota Ban May Raise African Trade, Ecobank Says, Bloomberg - 19 avril 2017

The announcement does much to highlight growing confidence in the international community about the country’s readiness to embrace its economic and trade potential. Despite the challenges presented by ongoing governance issues, high corruption levels, lack of infrastructure, and transparency, the coordinating minister of the economy and of finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, insisted on Nigeria’s qualities as a proactive force in the region.

Increasing interest in WEF Africa ensures a decent exposure for host countries, and by accommodating the forum, Nigeria hopes to attract investment, tourism and cement its place on the continent as a beacon for economic growth and entrepreneurship.

Sources:
Nigeria to host 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa, Vanguard – 11 May

Nigeria to host 24th World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa next year, Business Day – 22 May

Sources:
EU meets Eastern and Southern African partners to discuss EPA implementation, EC Press release – 15 May 2013

Second meeting joint communiqué, EPA Committee – 15 May 2013bri

Sources:
Partnering with Africa’s farmers, Brand South Africa country portal – 10 May 2013

Grow Africa ‘has mobilised $3bn in investments’, BDLive – 9 May 2013