Africa-Press – Liberia. Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. Charles Umehai speaking at USAID-funded Power Africa West Africa Energy Program (WAEP) Productive Use of Energy Trade Fair in Monrovia
Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. Charles Umehai, has revealed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s full commitment to advancing Liberia’s clean energy agenda, which he termed pivotal for achieving the country’s 2030 climate change objectives.
“I would like to say that firstly, the government of Liberia, through President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has stated that he is fully committed to this process,” Umehai assured.
Deputy Minister Umehai, on Wednesday, March 27, speaking at the launch of a two-day USAID-funded Power Africa West Africa Energy Program (WAEP) Productive Use of Energy (PUE) Trade Fair in Monrovia, said Liberia has one of the lowest rates of electrification in the world, with roughly 17% and 2%, respectively, of the urban and rural population having access to electricity.
The event is being held in collaboration with the government of Liberia through the Rural Renewable Energy Agency (RREA).
However, this situation, according to the Deputy Mines and Energy Minister, is something that the government is committed to addressing and would work with partners, including the USAID Power Africa initiative, to ensure that all Liberians have access to affordable and reliable electricity services in Liberia and the region.
Umehai, in his keynote speech, said President Boakai met with them recently and stressed the importance of the productive use of energy, especially through the renewable energy sector.
He disclosed to the organizers that the ministry is in the process of rolling out a rural energy strategy master plan, which will focus on some key aspects of the plan that talk about efficiency, equity, sustainability, transparency, and the fifth, private sector participation and regional cooperation.
“Also, the ministry is happy to be part of this first-ever productive use of energy fair in Liberia, and we are currently working on the establishment of the energy sector working group. So, on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and thank you to all those attending this fair, I formally declare the Productive Use of Energy Trade Fair opened,” Umehai concluded.
Jusu Wendell Holmes, Senior Engineer at USAID, who spoke on behalf of Jim Wright, USAID Liberia Mission Director, said they are glad to support its funded West Africa Power Program in supporting this productive use of energy trade fair in Liberia.
He said the gathering marks a pivotal moment in their collective journey towards a more prosperous and energy-resilient future for all Liberians. Holmes told the participants that energy is the heartbeat of progress, driving economic growth, powering industries, and improving livelihoods.
He said, “Yet, we recognize that access to reliable and affordable energy remains a challenge for many communities across Liberia. This trade fair represents our commitment to addressing this challenge and unlocking the transformative potential of energy for development.”
Holmes stated that via the USAID-funded program, the initiative for productive energy use is committed to advancing efficiency and sustainable energy practices across vital sectors, including agriculture and healthcare.
According to him, by leveraging renewable energy sources, they can empower local entrepreneurs, enhance productivity, and create new opportunities for economic development. Holmes maintained, “Our efforts must succeed in collaboration, which requires much innovation and collective action from all Liberians.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Executive Director of the Rural Renewable Energy Agency, Mr. Stephen Potter, has lauded the organizers for having such a beautiful trade fair for energy providers in the country.
Potter indicated that the trade fair is a way of showcasing potential energy solution providers that are doing well in the sector. He, however, expressed gratitude to development partners, championed by the World Bank and sustained by AfDB, the EU, USAID, the Government of Sweden, and Norway, engaged in the development of the rural energy sector in Liberia.
For her part, Madam Aminata Cisse, Regional Energy Access Manager at the West Africa Energy Program, revealed that the trade fair is intended to bring together key stakeholders in the PUE sector. Produce use of energy is a powerful lever for the development and empowerment of communities.
Meanwhile, the USAID-funded Power Africa West Africa Energy Program is a five-year program that is aimed at expanding the supply of and access to affordable and reliable electricity services in 23 West and Central African countries.
This PUE Trade Fair activity is in partnership with the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), the Liberian Energy Access Practitioners (LEAP) and Off-Grid Task Force main partners, with support from the Liberian Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture. The fair will focus on the initiatives supported by the program in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders in Liberia.
The main objectives of the trade fair include promoting sales of PUE equipment. The event will help the private sector market and sell PUE equipment such as solar water pumps, millers, solar generators, sewing kits, barbering kits, solar fridges, and cold chains to the public.
The fair also showcases success stories, highlighting success stories and best practices in the productive use of energy, especially in rural and off-grid areas. Knowledge sharing facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences among stakeholders involved in the technology and agriculture sectors, promoting collaboration. Encourage partnerships between government entities, private sector players, and development partners to accelerate access to off-grid PUE and best practices in the promotion of PUE: sharing success stories and lessons learned in leveraging energy for productive purposes, agriculture, and economic development.
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