THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 16 FEBRUARY 2020 PAGE 12
The Executive
The infrastructures by AU’s are to the highest Quality
BY AMBO MEKASA
The Ethiopian Herald had a while with the African Union Department of Infrastructure and Energy development commissioner Amani Abou-Zeid. The commissioner explained the achievements, plans, and challenges in the department on the press briefing as well as the exclusive with the Ethiopian Herald. Excerpts…
The Ethiopian Herald: Could you brief us about the achievements of DIE (Department of Infrastructure and Energy)?
Commissioner Amani: There are several departments in the DIE. We have good achievements as the department.
In terms of STC (Specialized Technical Committee) the second ordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committees meeting on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure, Energy and Tourism held in Cairo, Egypt, from 14th – 18th April 2019, provided guidance for the development of the second PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP 2, 2021-2030); approved the establishment of the African Network of Women in Infrastructure (ANWIn) to support gender responsive infrastructure planning and development and made decisions on various projects and programs under the transport, energy and tourism sectors.
The committee considered and adopted the Comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) for Africa.
PIDA (Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa) is a robust framework that defines priority infrastructure projects to be implemented across the continent at national and trans-boundary levels, underpinned by a number of soft initiatives such as capacity building and multi stakeholder dialogue to seek consensus.
The department completed the Mid-Term Review of PIDA PAP 1 (2012-2020) which took stock of its implementation and drew key findings and recommendations. The department has also been engaged in the development of the next phase of PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA PAP 2, 2021-2030).
The efforts for a smooth transition from PIDA PAP 1 to PIDA PAP 2 were demonstrated through the integrated corridor approach and the development of project selection criteria which were validated by the Bureau of the STC on Transport Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure Energy and Tourism (STC TTIIET).
The bureau then mandated AUC to setup a task force that will support the Member States and Regional Economic Communities during the projects selection process. The underlying concept for planning the PIDA PAP2 is to promote an integrated, multi-sectoral corridor approach that is employment oriented, smart, gender sensitive, climate friendly, and one that connects urban/industrial hubs with rural areas.
Information Society Sector – Enabling Africa to Reap the Benefits of Digitalization and Building Capacities of African Union Member States Internet Governance space. The sector gives trainings and capacity building for 70 national and regional experts who will represent future trainers at the national and regional levels on Internet Governance matters.
In terms of transport sector, the DIE aims at Creating Smart, Dynamic, and Reliable Cross
Border Linkages throughout the African Continent. The African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network Project (AIHSRN) is a Commission-led initiative designed to interconnect African capitals, economic, and other industrial hubs, the major tourism locations with appropriate high-speed rail technology, other complementary electricity/power, and ICT broadband infrastructure and services.
Various actions have been undertaken including consultations, promotion, master plans and among others.
In addition, The Assembly of the Union officially launched the Singe African Air Transport Market (SAATM) in Addis Ababa on January 29th 2018 at its 30th Ordinary Summit Session to increase connectivity in intra-African air transport market. About 33 AU member states have currently signed the solemn commitment to establish the SAATM, while 18 have signed a Memorandum of Implementation, which guarantees the removal of any Air Service Agreement Restrictions that do not conform to the Yamoussoukro Decision.
Regulation and guidelines are also formed according to the AU. AfDB, EU, and World Bank have specifically committed to providing technical and financial support to AFCAC and AUC in the implementation of the prioritized action plan for SAATM.
On Energy the AUC actions focused on Continental Electricity Market, Continental Power System Master Plan, Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF), African Energy Information System and Energy Transition Programme.
A harmonized continental transmission tariff methodology has been developed, validated and adopted by the STC-TTIIET. Guidelines and monitoring plan for implementing the tariff methodology have been developed. A tool for calculating transmission tariffs based on the principles of the selected methodology has been developed and tested in two power pools. Training of power pools, member utilities and regulators who will be playing a direct role in the operationalization of the continental electricity market and the ongoing development of the electricity continental master plan are among the achievements.
Finally, in tourism sector, the Commission was requested to elaborate a Continental tourism Strategic Framework as well as to establish a Continental Tourism Organization for ensuring that all the key elements and targets of the Agenda 2063 are accomplished, and the objectives realized.
Herald: What are the main challenges you have faced in realizing your goal?
Commissioner Amani: We are realizing our goals but since we have different sector in DIE, every project has its own challenges. Some of the challenges in the continents’ infrastructures are that the needs are very crossly. The projects needs are USD 130 billion to USD 170 billion a year to bridges infrastructure gap. We are at the highest level even at a level of African Union we are working with African and non- African donors in order to mobilize fund for our projects.
The second aspect there is fifty five countries in our continent. But they are not on the same level in terms of
development. Our work is demanding but we are already doing it.in addition, we are harmonizing our policies and sector polices to create one market and one approach for implementation of our programs.
Optimal implementation of PRIDA and achieving digital transformation in Africa will require political commitment at the highest level, aligning of policies and sector regulation and a massive scaling-up of investment and dedication of resources towards implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa. Insufficient financial resources beset us to implement all the planned activities under the SAATM priority action plan.
Lack of technical resources and tools for effective advocacy with remaining States and dearth of a continental infrastructure master plan for continental aeronautical infrastructure are hurdles to cope up with future traffic growth.
Difficulties for developers to secure geothermal resource licensing and closing of Power Purchase Agreements, to mobilize their financial contribution as per GRMF financial scheme, and lack of funding for Energy Transition Programme.
Lack of implementation and lack of technical and financial assistance is also among the challenges. All challenges are not impossible but it need continuous follow up and commitment.
Herald: some are questioning the qualities of infrastructures in Africa what is your take on that?
Commissioner Amani: These are not the qualities of infrastructure in the African Union side because we are concerned with the regional, cross regional and transcontinental infrastructure. Not only that, some our corridors are highest in technology. We have already three smart corridors applied in the continent and we are working on another two. So, the question does not apply to infrastructure additionally in the continent and transcontinental.
However, what we do in the coming decade because we are preparing for 2021 and 2023 is to add the element of climate resilience because we have seen several climate disasters that broke roads and everything in South Africa.
So, we want to make sure whatever we are going to build is resilient and resist the climate changes.
Herald: Could you brief us some points on the way forward?
Commissioner Amani: Well, way forwards are also mentioned for the all sectors. The decisions of both STCs should be translated into action plans to be adopted by the respective Bureaus and provided for in the budgets of 2021 and onwards. The PIDA PAP 2 process, the list of priority projects and the implementation strategy will be presented to the AU Summit for adoption in January 2021.
Upon endorsement of the DTS by the Executive Council, the focus will be to work on the implementation details with the DTS implementing partners. On PRIDA, the AUC will speed up the development of the digital platform and online content.
Launch of the online survey to gather market information on both (i) the financing of the exploration phase up to the power plant operation and (ii) the direct-use projects in East Africa. Launch of the 6 Application Round in the 2nd quarter 2020 for additional funding for developers. A continuous Regional Capacity Building program through “Africa Geothermal Centre of Excellency” to enhance skills and knowledge related to the development of geothermal resources. Sensitization of GRMF implementing countries to encourage policy and decision makers to speed up the ratification of Power Purchase Agreements, Implementation Agreements and to harmonize the license requirements on the national government and county levels. Everyone should be committed for the fulfillments of the programs.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITIONFEBRUARY 16 / 2020
BY SOLOMON WASSIHUN
