Nigeria, Others Present as Eni, Luiss University Launch Maiden International Network on African Energy Transition

Peter Uzoho

Multinational energy group, Eni and the Italian Luiss University, yesterday in Rome, kicked off the International Network on African Energy Transition (INAET), gathering major institutions, universities, think-tanks and scholars from Africa, Europe and worldwide to set up a common hub on the continent’s transition.
With Africa being home to some of the world’s fastest growing economies, the energy transition offers huge opportunities for the continent and INAET’s ambition, according to the partners, was to untap its potential, exploring new paths for collaboration among the key actors at stake.

In a statement issued yesterday in Milan, Italy, Eni explained that the two-day inaugural conference in Rome, holding yesterday and today, has the participation of high-level universities, research centers and institutions from Algeria, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa.

The participants at the session would also create synergies with European and international universities and institutions, such as the European University Institute, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA), the Atlantic Council, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and other relevant stakeholders.

According to the statement, “matching the leading academic experience of Luiss University with Eni’s know-how on the energy sector and its wide and deeply rooted presence in Africa, the event plans to address five top priorities: mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change; Africa’s development paths and the resources needed; younger generation’s outlook on the energy transition; African priorities in the energy transition; international players and private sector role in the African energy transition.

“Eni has been operating in Africa since the 1950s, and currently operates in 14 countries in the continent. The company is committed to improve energy access in Africa through a wide portfolio of projects, ranging from traditional to renewable energy production and innovative initiatives.”
Eni stated that it was supplying energy efficient cookstoves in Mozambique, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, among others); integrating the African countries into the biofuel value chain in countries like Kenya, Mozambique, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, among others).

It added that it was investing on the creation of research centers focused on new energies in Oyo in Congo, Solar Lab in Algeria, among others; snd also powering water wells through photovoltaics in partnership with international agencies in Nigeria.

It said it was equally investing in educational programmes focused on the energy sector and upskilling in Egypt, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, and others.

Luiss University, currently ranks 14th for Political and International Studies in the prestigious 2023 QS Ranking by Subject, actively contributes to the training of the future African ruling class. This is with credit to Sub-Saharan African Project, ‘Progetto Africa Subsahariana, financed by Eni.

Luiss is offering scholarships to students from Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Rwanda and Burundi: the students are expected to become the new global leaders and managing the geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges of the coming years in their continent.