Sustainable growth in Africa: Biram Soulèye Diop advocates the use of renewable energies.

The Minister for Energy, Oil and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop, has urged African decision-makers to embrace renewable energies as a driver of sustainable growth and economic and social inclusion.

"I invite African decision-makers to make renewable energies a lever for sustainable growth, a driver for resilience in the face of the climate challenge, and a factor for the economic and social inclusion of all our fellow citizens", said the Minister at the official launch of the eighth edition of the International Exhibition on Renewable Energies and the Environment in Africa (SIERA).

The ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Building Administratif Président Mamadou Dia, was co-chaired by Mr Diop and his colleague Daouda Ngom, Minister for the Environment and Ecological Transition (METE). The event, scheduled to take place from 24 to 26 April 2025, is organised by the Agence nationale pour les énergies renouvelables (ANER) in partnership with the private group Excaf Events.

The Energy Minister stressed that Africa is at a decisive turning point in its energy development. "Our nations are facing a twofold imperative: to guarantee universal access to energy while meeting environmental and climate challenges", he said.

SIERA 2025, under the theme "Renewable energy and sustainable development: resilience, inclusion and innovation in Africa", aims to encourage exchanges and partnerships between public and private players. Birame Soulèye Diop encouraged participants to commit themselves fully to the success of the event, which he described as "a showcase for the technological advances and innovations that will shape our energy future".

Daouda Ngom highlighted the consequences of industrialisation based on fossil fuels, which has led to heavy pollution and an increase in greenhouse gases.

Citing the sixth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he said that greenhouse gas emissions had reached 59 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019, an increase of 54% compared with 1990. He pointed out that "86% of this increase is attributed to the use of fossil fuels".

Faced with these alarming figures, the Minister for the Environment stressed the urgent need for a transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. He reiterated Senegal's commitment to achieving ecologically responsible development by 2050.

The National Director of ANER and the Director of Excaf Events were also present at the ceremony, reaffirming their commitment to the development of renewable energy in Africa.

SIERA 2025 promises to be a must-attend event for decision-makers, investors and energy sector experts determined to build a sustainable future for the continent.