Energy key to Africa’s transformation

Editor, Refer to the story, “Kaberuka: Africa cannot transform without energy” (The New Times, May 20). I agree with Dr Donald Kaberuka, the President of the African Development Bank, that Africa should actively encourage foreign investments in the energy sector. Considering the effects of climate change, we also need to give emphasis to renewable energy. Recent studies show that waste can be transformed into biogas which has capacity to run direct current electrical power generators. This means that cow dung, human waste, municipal waste and abattoir effluent can be a source of electricity. This would cut down on use of fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) which emit chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFCs), which are the main destructive greenhouse gasses. But as we promote investments in the energy sector, let’s not forget emphasis on conserving the environment. Thank you, Dr Kaberuka for doing a great job at the AfDB. James Munanura, Rwanda ********************************************************** Dr Kaberuka is spot on. Africa needs more renewable energy and sustainability at regional level. The East African Community should work together on reducing greenhouse gases in the region. Indeed uniformity in this area across all the African states is feasible. Robert Ahimbisibwe, Pretoria, South Africa

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Energy key to Africa’s transformation