A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Congolese Association for Renewable and Decentralised Energy (ACERD) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE). The MoU sets out the shared goals of the two organisations to address the existing obstacles which hinder the optimal use of the various renewable energies for electrification and the potential for energy efficiency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Both organisations agreed to promote social and economic development by increasing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix in Central Africa and particularly the DRC.
The associations will work together on a number of activities, including joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in DRC to create a conducive market environment for decentralised renewable energy (DRE) actors, accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve renewable energy targets as well as targeted business development and market intelligence support for DRE companies.
In this regard, the associations aim to develop the capacity of renewable energy stakeholders in the DRC to create local jobs and enhance the capacity of the sector to attract adequate financing for renewable energy projects and businesses. This will, for example, be achieved by spearheading “DRE Investment Academies” or similar trainings for Congolese and international DRE developers and other stakeholders, with the aim of raising additional fundraising and technical support.
Finally, the MoU states that the partners will offer support through business development services for renewable energy actors working in DRC, to address electrification, energy security and climate change challenges, as well as conduct applied research to foster the market for renewable energy technologies.
David Lecoque, CEO of ARE said: “ARE views renewable electrification as the indispensable catalyst for economic growth, creating green jobs both domestically and regionally. DRC offers a huge potential for DRE in both rural and peri-urban settings and we believe the partnership with ACERD is an important stepping stone to further advance market development and promote DRE for households and businesses.”
Kathia Ajebo, President of ACERD said: “In the process of reducing barriers to enable equal access to innovative technologies and for a better representation at international level, we in collaboration with ARE have signed an MoU to conduct several activities for the development of the renewable energy sector in the DRC. This agreement will allow the association to collaborate in a better manner and engage authorities towards a common goal for the country.”