Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman recently welcomed Davis Chirchir, his Kenyan counterpart, for discussions aimed at strengthening trade collaboration between the two nations. The talks, held in Riyadh, focused on a wide range of topics, including the “Empower Africa” initiative, which aims to drive advancements in clean energy, communication, electronic health, and online education across the continent.
During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities for cooperation in various sectors, with a special emphasis on petroleum supplies, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. They also discussed the exchange of expertise in project development, policies, and systems to foster mutual growth and development.
In response to the discussions, Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum expressed enthusiasm about seeking partnerships that could accelerate the country’s development goals in the energy and petroleum sector. Kenya aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% and achieve 100% clean energy by 2030, with renewable energy already accounting for over 92% of its energy mix.
Energy plays a crucial role in Kenya’s Vision 2030 and its Big 4 Agenda development programs, with the country prioritizing energy security as a national imperative. The Third Medium Plan 2017-2022 identifies energy as a key driver for Kenya’s transformation into a newly industrializing, middle-income economy, ensuring a high quality of life for its citizens in a clean and secure environment.
Recognizing the importance of access to competitively priced, reliable, quality, safe, and sustainable energy, Nairobi considers it an essential ingredient for the country’s socio-economic development.
In a related development, in October 2023, the Saudi energy minister unveiled a comprehensive plan to provide electricity, telecommunication services, e-learning, and e-medical care to African countries. This initiative, announced at the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, will be jointly managed by the Kingdom’s health, energy, and communications ministries in cooperation with stc and Dawyiat, demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Africa’s sustainable development.
The meeting between Saudi Arabia and Kenya signals a growing partnership in the energy sector, with both countries poised to benefit from enhanced collaboration and mutual support in their pursuit of sustainable development goals.
(Source: Arab News)
