The Central African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CEREEAC) takes shape in Luanda, Angola

In May 2023, Mr. Jean-Pierre Ndoutoum was appointed as the Head of the Start-Up Unit of the new Central African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CEREEAC) by the President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). During the next months, he will take leadership in the full operationalisation of the centre.

The nomination followed the official inauguration of the centre on March 10th in Luanda, Angola. The high-level ceremony featured opening remarks of Mr. João Baptista Borges, Minister in charge of Energy and Water of the Republic of Angola, H.E. Ambassador Gilberto Da Piedade Veríssimo, President of the Commission of ECCAS, H.E. Ms. Romana Königsbrun, Austrian Ambassador in Pretoria and Mr. Tareq Emtairah, Director on Energy at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The creation of the centre is supported by UNIDO under the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) program. CEREEAC will take leadership in accelerating the energy and climate transition “from the region for the region”. Initial financial support was provided by the Austrian Government, through the Ministry of European and International Affairs.

Following a comprehensive preparatory process, already announced by ALER in 2021, the establishment of CEREEAC was adopted by the Energy Ministers on June 8th 2021 and formalised by Decision Nº. 04/CEEAC/CCEG/XIX/21 of the 19th Conference of Heads of State and Government, held in Brazzaville on July 30th2021. Following a competitive selection process, Angola was designated as the host country of CEREEAC’s Secretariat.

The centre works towards the creation of a common sustainable energy product and service market within ECCAS by promoting economies of scales, equal progress, joint learning, and spill-over effects between countries. Through cross-border approaches and methodologies, the centres will complement and accelerate national efforts in the areas of policy, regulation, quality infrastructure, qualification, knowledge and facilitation of investment and entrepreneurship. It will serve as a central hub for knowledge, advice, as well as international and local partnerships.

The creation of the CEREEAC is an important contribution to the envisaged structural transformation in Central Africa. External shocks, such as climate change, the COVID-19 economic downturn and high oil and food price fluctuations, have demonstrated once again the vulnerability of the region. Most countries are highly dependent on the export of raw materials, including oil and gas. The shift towards renewables, energy and resource efficiency is an important prerequisite for the success of economic diversification, industrialisation, and climate policies. The expansion of higher added value manufacturing and servicing in Central Africa requires rapid investments in climate-resilient low-carbon energy infrastructure.

With the creation of the CEREEAC, the network of regional sustainable energy centres will cover the entire African continent. UNIDO will facilitate south-south and triangular cooperation between CEREEAC (Angola), RCREEE (Egypt), ECREEE (Cape Verde), SACREEE (Namibia) and EACREEE (Kampala) on common energy issues and solutions.

Further information is available at: www.cereeac.org and www.gn-sec.net

Please do not hesitate to contact the ECCAS-UNIDO start-up team through: info@cereeac.org