The Africa LEDS Partnership (AfLP) COP22 side event took place on Tuesday 8th November 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco. The event focused on the AfLP’s work in supporting the implementation of low emission development strategies (LEDS) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) across Africa.

The event was opened by Stephen King’uyu, AfLP Steering Committee co-chair, and representative from the Ministry of Environment, Kenya, who facilitated a lively discussion among the following panelists:

• Esther Wagombe, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya
• Trinto Mugangu, Ministry of Environment, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
• John Yeboah, Economic Community Of West African States Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), Cape Verde

Ms. Wagombe highlighted the contribution of LEDS GP’s Remote Expert Assistance on LEDS (REAL) service to the development of Kenya’s climate change policy, amongst other elements of support to national action.

Mr. Yeboah spoke about ECREEE’s role, working with the Worldwatch Institute, in providing energy guidance for AfLP members, scoping technical assistance provided on request, and fostering a Community of Practice for Africa on energy issues. This prompted multiple questions from the floor concerning engagement of the private sector, and how a new NDC Investment Accelerator will operate in practice.

The panel responded that building capacity in accessing finances is critical, especially in the financing of African nations’ Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). Mr. Mugangu provided the example of DRC’s NAMA on sustainable charcoal production, which steered the conversation towards accessing the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other multilateral mechanisms. Another gap that was identified is access to technology, both in terms of transfer (financed projects) and research and development, to ensure that the technology is suited to the needs of communities on-the-ground.

Find out more about the Africa LEDS Partnership.

Photo: Ollivier Girard for Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).