Energy: Potential for major development in Africa
One of the major areas of partnership on the agenda between the EU and Africa at the Lisbon Summit in December is energy. The reason is simple: the two continents need one another. This interdependency is destined to increase.
Europe and Africa at night.
© NASA-DLR
According to Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, crude, refined oil and natural gas accounted for 29.4% of all ACP exports to the EU (€58.9 billion) in 2006 – most of it coming from Africa. At the same time, 15.5% of EU exports to the ACP countries consisted of products linked directly to energy consumption, production or transport: fuel, electrical equipment and generators.
For Europe, Africa is a leading partner in energy and other raw material supplies. In 2005 imports of African crude oil and gas were 20% and 14% respectively of Europe’s total, and one African country alone, Niger, provided 13.5% of all Europe’s uranium imports. At the same time, development of the African continent means the ongoing exploitation of its renewable energy resources, which are still largely under-utilised. Much of this begins with hydroelectric power. However, to harness the force of mighty rivers like the Congo or Blue Nile requires both expertise and finance from Europe, hence the importance of partnership.
This dossier takes an in-depth look at the present and future partnership between Africa and Europe and the opportunities that the energy sector can offer to both sides.
