African leaders endorse AfDB’s New Deal on Energy

African Development Bank (AFDB) “New Deal on Energy,” a vehicle through which the continental bank plans to invest in delivering electricity across the 54 African countries by 2025, has received the blessing of Nigeria and other member states. The Daily Times reports that the endorsement of the new deal on energy and aggressive road map toward curtailing the effects of climate change remains the epicenter of the ongoing AFDB on going annual general meeting in Lusaka, Zambia. Rwanda President Paul Kagame and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, announced the endorsement on behalf of African leaders while appearing on CNBC-Africa television programme with AFDB President Dr Akinwumi Adesina. Sharing their ideas on the “path to universal access to energy in Africa by 2025”, the two leaders commended AFDB and Adesina for proactive leadership. “This New Deal on Energy is a big deal for Africa,” kagame said adding that it provides a new momentum in the ongoing efforts to transform Africa. In his own contributions, Kenyatta said that the “New Deal”, would fast track the ability of Africa to effectively utilisation of its potential in renewable energy. “We have heard and had enough of the theory. It is now time for practical engagement by supporting the AfDB to leverage Africa’s huge potential,” Kenyatta said. Speaking also, Adesina said that Kagame and Kenyatta represent what Africa needs currently, the political will to translate Africa’s potential into tangible benefits for its people. “Money is not the key. Political will is all we need to get things done,” Adesina added. Adesina argued that while Africa has a lot of energy poten