‘Inadequate infrastructure and dependence on self-generation continue to drive up production costs, particularly for small
and medium-sized manufacturers.’
Siaka MOMOH
The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA), at its recent Quarterly Capacity-Building Webinar, highlighted pathways to lower energy costs for African manufacturers.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of PAMA President,
Engr. Ahmed Mansur, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Co-
Secretary General, described affordable, reliable and
sustainable energy as a prerequisite for Africa’s
industrialisation and the successful implementation of the
AfCFTA.
He noted that persistent power shortages,
inadequate infrastructure and dependence on self-generation continue to drive up production costs, particularly for small
and medium-sized manufacturers. He called for policies that
expand access to affordable financing, accelerate investment
in energy infrastructure and promote energy efficiency and
renewable energy adoption across the continent.
The keynote presentation by Rana Ghoneim, Director
of the Division for Energy and Climate Action at UNIDO,
listed energy efficiency, renewable energy
deployment and industrial decarbonisation as practical
pathways to reducing manufacturing costs while
improving productivity and competitiveness. Ghoneim also
showcased UNIDO’s programmes supporting clean
technologies, green industrial development, technical
assistance and access to financing for manufacturers. She
encouraged manufacturers to leverage the UNIDO’s
programme supports and partnership.
In his closing, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, reaffirmed PAMA’s commitment to partnering with UNIDO and other stakeholders to expand African manufacturers’ access to technical support, financing opportunities and sustainable energy solutions, while urging participants to translate the insights gained into practical actions that will strengthen Africa’s industrial and expressed confidence that the knowledge shared would support more energy-efficient, resilient and competitive manufacturing across the continent.
