West and North Africa have endorsed a set of recommendations aimed at resolving value chain issues in energy transition and food systems, a move set to boost intra-regional development. These resolutions were concluded at the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) intergovernmental committee of senior officers and experts conference, which Ghana hosted.
According to Ghana News Agency, the conference, lasting three days, centered on sustainable agriculture, bolstering intra-regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the development of renewable energy. According to Mrs. Ngone Diop, Director of ECA West Africa, the recommendations were a result of extensive idea-sharing and are intended to address the structural causes of ongoing energy and food crises in the two regions. Diop, in an interview at the conference's conclusion in Accra, expressed optimism about the implementation of these solutions, focusing on capitalizing on regional assets and potential.
Ms. Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of ECA North Africa, emphasized the high priority of energy transition and food security on the policy agenda, with a particular focus on the supply side. She noted that the conference established new approaches to finance programmes, projects, and policies aimed at securing Africa's energy and food systems. Schwidrowski highlighted the opportunities presented by AfCFTA and the unique strengths and needs of the sub-regions in promoting sustainable development.
Dr. Kodjo Essiem Mensah-Abrampa, Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), urged that the proposed solutions be actively implemented, rather than remaining theoretical. He advocated for empowering youth and women to lead the implementation process, accelerating national and intra-regional development.
The World Economic Forum, an international organization for public-private cooperation, pointed out Africa's potential as a significant contributor to global food networks and its role in alleviating global food security challenges. The Forum stressed the importance of protecting Africa's soil through technology, proper fertilizer use, and its impact on yields, biodiversity, and hunger.
Moreover, the Forum emphasized the necessity of inclusive planning and consensus building for a successful clean energy transition, especially considering Africa's projected population of two billion people by 2050.