Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha addresses the 12th CII-Exim Bank Conclave

Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism participated in the 12th CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Partnership Project held at Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi from 8 to 9 March 2017. Speaking in the Parallel Session under the theme,” Forging New India-Africa Partnerships for Longterm Energy Security, Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha said that Africa was in the process of implementing the “energy for all” by 2050, as one of the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He further noted that Africa needs “secure and affordable power. He noted that presently only 9% of the urban population and about 1% of the rural population have access to electricity.

With respect to the energy situation in Malawi, the Minister said, although Malawi had an installed capacity of 304 Megawatts, the actual available power was around 258 Megawatts. He pointed out that Malawi had the potential to produce up to 1,670 MW. He further observed that with such a huge gap in demand and supply, the opportunity for Indian businesses and investments in the energy sector in Malawi was huge.

With regard to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Hon Mwanamvekha noted that Africa in general and Malawi in particular would do well to join the alliance. He said that counties should learn from the Indian experience in building their energy security, especially in renewable energy.

On prospects for joining the ISA, the Minister informed the gathering that talks on Malawi accession to the ISA were progressing well.