Eni pools global scholars into African energy transition hub
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Major global institutions, scholars and think tanks are in collaboration to map a new energy pathway for the growth of African economies as the world pushes demand switch from fossil to clean energy options.
Italian energy multinational, Eni, and the Luiss University launched the pooling of intellectuals into the International Network on African Energy Transition (INAET), a global resource hub on Africa’s energy transition.
INAET’s ambition, Eni stated in a media release, is to explore new paths for collaboration among the key actors at stake n unlocking the huge opportunities energy transition offers the continent which hosts some of the world’s fastest growing economies.
Launch of the INAET formed the main event of the two-day inaugural conference which started on Thursday in Rome.
The event saw the participation of high-level universities, research centers and institutions from Algeria, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa.
The target is to create synergies with European and international universities and institutions, such as the European University Institute, the International Monetary Fund, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Atlantic Council, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CassaDepositi e Prestiti, and other relevant stakeholders.
The event also targets to match the leading academic experience of Luiss University with Eni’s know-how on the energy sector and its wide and deeply rooted presence in Africa. It also aims to address five top priorities of mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change; Africa’s development paths and the resources needed; younger generation’s outlook on the energy transition; African priorities in the energy transition; international players and private sector role in the African energy transition.
The Oracle Today reports that Eni, which operates with the Agip brand, has been operating in Africa since the 1950s, and currently operates in 14 countries in the continent. The company boasts of its commitment to improve energy access in Africa through a wide portfolio of projects, ranging from traditional to renewable energy production and other novel initiatives.
The Italian energy company currently supplies energy efficient cookstoves in Mozambique, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and other countries. It is also integrating the African countries including Kenya, Mozambique, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda and others into the biofuel value chain.
In other places like Congo and Algeria, Eni is also investing on the creation of research centers focused on new energies; powering water wells through photovoltaics in partnership with international agencies in Nigeria; and funding programs on energy sector educational and skill development in Egypt, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, and others.
“Luiss University, currently ranked 14th for Political and International studies in the prestigious 2023 QS Ranking by Subject, actively contributes to the training of the future African ruling class. Thanks to Sub-Saharan African Project (“Progetto Africa Subsahariana”), financed by Eni itself, Luiss is offering scholarships to students from Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Rwanda and Burundi: the students are expected to become the new global leaders and managing the geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges of the coming years in their continent,” Eni stated.
