Message from the Executive Director of CAFOR – Lawalley Cole, July 2018

It was an honour to chair the Global Energy and Infrastructure Conference organised by the European Academy for Taxes, Economics and Law, held in Berlin, Germany from 27 – 29 June 2018. The keynote speaker Lars Waldmann, Group Leader Internet of Energy, BDI, the Voice of German Industry, provided some insightful thoughts about the use of artificial intelligence for energy security at the global level. There were many other speakers from Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. I also spoke on two topics that numerously bare relevance to our African situation.  My first topic was on scaling up renewables in Africa and creating jobs for young Africans. I have realised that a considerable lot of jobs can be created for our African youths in the energy sector provided that they receive training on the relevant skills that will match the job market. The need exists all over the African continent. I also spoke on the subject of public-private partnerships for large infrastructure projects in Africa. What was more interesting was the question of looking into education and employment of African youth in the energy and infrastructure sector.

We know that that jobs in the energy sector in Africa are rising as governments, public sector enterprises and the private sector make increased efforts to boost electricity access on the continent. However, to support the accelerating investments in renewable energy in Africa, we see a growing need for renewable energy experts and skilled professionals. Africa has the lowest number of jobs globally when it comes to renewable employment on the continent. Also, Africa currently ranks among the lowest in the world’s regions in scientific research and development, considering just 1.1% of global research output. We, therefore, need to build skills in applied sciences, engineering and technology or STEM and this may hold the key to the economic transformation of sub-Saharan Africa. We discussed these issues with global experts attending this conference and made several references to the situation in Asia, especially China and India as well as with countries of the European Union. Africa is by far very much behind in this enterprise. We have a growing youth population with more than 11 million new graduates entering the job market annually. The continent, therefore, needs to work rapidly to find a solution to its skilled labour deficit. We must, therefore, urgently begin to develop our local skills and also create world-class skills through a radically reformed education system.

As one of the eight Patrons supporting the African Youth SDGs Summit being held in November this year in Accra, Ghana, I am advocating for this vision to have Africa’s workers who are young and energetic to become highly skilled, productive and cost-effective.