{"id":5847,"date":"2023-05-11T08:16:53","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T08:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/?p=5847"},"modified":"2023-05-11T08:16:53","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T08:16:53","slug":"he-graca-machel-opens-energy-conference-series-in-mozambique-calls-other-african-countries-energy-sector-to-help-the-continent-move-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/gmt\/featured\/he-graca-machel-opens-energy-conference-series-in-mozambique-calls-other-african-countries-energy-sector-to-help-the-continent-move-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"HE Gra\u00e7a Machel opens Energy Conference Series in Mozambique, calls other African countries’ energy sector to help the continent move forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine living where over 640 million people, including children, cannot access electricity. Unfortunately, this is a harsh reality for many Africans. Shockingly, the electricity access rate for African countries is just over 40 percent, the lowest in the world. The use of fuel wood for cooking has also had a devastating impact on the health of Africans. A report<\/a> by the African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that 600,000 Africans, mostly women and children, die annually due to indoor air pollution caused by this method, and over 90% of Africa’s primary schools lack electricity, leading to under-performance by children. Many lives are at risk in African hospitals due to the lack of electricity, and life-saving equipment and services go to waste because of the limited access to electricity.\u00a0[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

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The energy sector in Africa is experiencing remarkable growth, and with it comes an unprecedented opportunity for women, youth, and persons with disabilities to tap into this burgeoning market. Historically, these groups have been marginalised in the energy sector, but times are changing. With governments making concerted efforts to promote gender equality, youth empowerment and disability inclusion, there has never been a better time for these groups to take advantage of the growing market opportunities in the energy sector.<\/p>\n

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The Women in Energy Conference series launched by the\u00a0Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust<\/a>\u00a0(GMT), with support from\u00a0Sasol-Mozambique<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Foundation for Community Development<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade<\/a>\u00a0(FDC) on 9th May 2023, under the theme\u00a0“Laying the Foundation for an enabling environment for Women in Energy”\u00a0<\/strong>created a platform for women to share their experiences and ideas that will help break the barriers that prevent women from fully participating in the energy sector.<\/p>\n

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\"Gra\u00e7a<\/p>\n

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In her opening remarks, HE Gra\u00e7a Machel, Founder of GMT and FDC, who joined other patrons in sustainable energy at the Conference, said African countries must achieve universal access to electricity and lift their populations out of poverty. Without this investment, the energy transition will be delayed, and the standard of living will remain deficient. She said, “African countries stand no chance of lifting their people out of poverty and achieving a decent standard of living for all without affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity.”<\/p>\n

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\"Graca

Mozambique Women in Energy<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Mrs. Machel also recognised the growing innovations by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), an important enabler of sector development, cost reduction, and broad-based access to energy.<\/p>\n

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“Mozambique Women in Energy have played a pivotal role in being the think tank pillar through participation in the drafting and reviewing policy and legal instruments such as the electricity law, legal, regulatory instruments for Access to Energy in Off Grid Areas, and the Energy Strategy. They have been a building pillar by providing capacity-building programs for young energy practitioners, and capacity-building of Women-Owned Businesses in the energy value chain.” –\u00a0<\/em>HE Gra\u00e7a Machel.<\/p>\n

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Mrs Priscillah Mabelane, the Executive Vice President of Sasol, has been advancing Sasol’s aspirational vision to lead the Just Energy Transition in Southern Africa. Her presence at the Conference brought hope to the participants when she recognised the path to placing women in important energy sector positions. She said, “While we recognise that there is still a long road to be travelled, we have seen first-hand the transformative power of diversity and inclusion. We believe working together can create a more sustainable and equitable energy future for all.”<\/p>\n

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\"Graca<\/p>\n

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“That is why we are proud to partner with the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust in launching this Women in Energy Conference initiative. Over the next three years, we will create an annual conference that will provide a platform for women in Mozambique’s energy sector to share their experiences, insights, and ideas and build meaningful connections with each other.” – <\/em>Priscillah Mabelane, Executive Vice President of Sasol.<\/p>\n

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Through this innovative initiative, the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust will create a platform for women to access markets, technology, finance, networks, and skills development. The Trust’s Director of Programmes, Ms. Shiphra Chisha, called on the support and collaborative efforts across government, civil society, and the private sector for the continent to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. She highlighted the work done by the Trust to contribute to the sector. “We have decided it is time to take a leading role in Africa’s energy and power sector. We want to champion the plight of women, youth, and persons with disability through a portfolio of projects, assets, and interventions directed at entrenching these marginalised groups in existing and emerging value chains.”<\/p>\n

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“We want to call women to be the vanguards of electricity solutions on the continent.\u00a0<\/em>We want businesses, government, and civil society to look to us for tailored and targeted solutions to realise an inclusive energy ecosystem.”-\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Ms. Shiphra Chisha,\u00a0Director of Programmes of GMT.<\/p>\n

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The Conference brought together key stakeholders in Africa’s Energy and Power Ecosystem. It allowed women to network and build relationships with industry leaders and experts to help increase their visibility and create a pipeline of talented women who can take on leadership roles in the sector. Other speakers at the launch included Deputy Director of the National Directorate of Energy in the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME) for Mozambique, Ms. Marcelina Mataveia, Dr. Diogo Milagre, Executive Board Member Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade (FDC), as well as experts from key economic sectors including energy, finance, and women entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

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\"Graca

Some of the participants at the Women in Energy Conference. The Conference brought together key stakeholders from Africa’s Energy and Power Ecosystem.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Read more about GMT- SASOL- FDC Women In Energy Conference Series Launch here\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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Reference<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.afdb.org\/fileadmin\/uploads\/afdb\/Documents\/Generic-Documents\/Brochure_New_Deal_2_red.pdf<\/p>\n

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