Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Roma (Agenzia Fides)- The World Economic Forum and the World Energy Council have signed an agreement to reduce the shortage of energy in Africa. The agreement was signed yesterday, 14 November, in Rome in the context of a World Energy Congress held in the Italian capital. The Geneva based World Economic Forum was founded in 1971 to improve the state of the world by involving prominent figures in politics, finance, industry and culture. The London based World Energy Council established in 1923, has 94 member countries and its goal is to promote the supply and sustainable use of energy for the benefit of humanity.
These two organisation decided to join forces to increase the use of sustainable energy in areas without electricity. As part of the agreement the World Economic Forum and the World Energy Council will support Energy Poverty Action (EPA), private initiative which offers advice for development of innovative electrification projects. A key point of this initiative is to enable groups of local users to run an energy producing system.
Two EPA pilot projects launched in Lesotho and in Democratic Congo are nearing completion.
Access to energy is a key factor for Africa's development, development in line with the rest of the world, as stated in the latest World Bank report on Africa “Africa Development Indicators 2007”. “Several African economies appear to have come to a turning point and are on the way to swift and lasting growth” the report said. “Results of the decade 1995-2005 overturn the crashes in 1975-85 and stagnation in 1985-95 and for the first time in three decades they are growing at the same pace as the rest of the world”.
Economic growth is beginning to have a positive impact on the life of African countries although the Report recalls that “over 40% of people in sub-Saharan Africa still live on less than 40 dollars a day, hope for life has halted in some countries and has diminished in others and poor school and health systems prevent the improvement of the people's productivity”.
To improve knowledge of the African economy the World Bank has promoted Africa Development Indicators Online which offers indicators on economy, human development, development of the private sector and humanitarian aid. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/11/2007 righe 31 parole 408)
