AFREC Continues to Develop the Collection of National Energy Data in Africa

From 9-13 May 2022, the Africa – EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) supported a training of Trainers for African energy experts in Cote d’Ivoire. The training, organised by the African Energy Commission (AFREC), targeted 18 participants during the week-long course to advance their knowledge on energy data and become future trainers in their respective countries.

The training is designed to enhance participants data collection skills and deepen their knowledge about data processing at national and regional levels. Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to contribute positively to the collection of energy data, ensure the quality of the African Energy Information System (AEIS), improve ongoing data analysis processes, and assist with the validation of the compiled data.  AFREC Executive Director, Mr Abdoulaye Oueddo, Senior Policy Officer for Energy Information System (EIS) at AFREC emphasized “The capacity building programme supports the National Focal Points (NFPs) in the AU member states to strengthen National information system by coordinating energy data collection and validation at national level”.

Reliable energy statistics are the backbone of efficient policy and regulatory frameworks, and a valuable tool for governments to ensure energy security, reduce process volatility, and attract investments. Private investments in particular benefit from robust power sector policies and frameworks, as they enable a reliable business environment. With the advanced skills training, AFREC aims to increase local capacity building and access to credible data as an essential part of designing regulatory frameworks and creating enough confidence to attract private investment.

The Training of Trainers initiative comes as part of AFREC’s plan to ramp up its capacity building initiatives by continuing to increase the African pool of trainers and reduce the skill gap in the energy sector.  The participants who attend the training will become future trainers of other National Focal Points (NFPs) in their respective countries, thereby enhancing cross-border learning, leading capacity building and Modernising the African Energy Information System (AEIS).