EPIC Africa Stakeholder Meeting in Kenya 2024
In a dynamic continent like Africa, where challenges meet innovation head-on, the recent 5-day Stakeholder meeting served as a beacon of hope and progress. From discussions on the theme “Energy Planning and Modelling through Integrated Assessment of Climate-Land-Energy-Water Nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Cases of the Volta and Tana River Basins”, the event (hosted by KALRO) buzzed with excitement and determination.
Day 1:
The event kicked off with an amazing welcome talk, which set an atmosphere for what was to follow. As all partners came to jointly put together ideas to tackle difficulties being encountered, progress so far, and how each stakeholder is developing thus far in relation to the project, the project’s accomplishments.
Day 2:
An extensive discussion on how to assist sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa by developing and linking a transition platform with stakeholders in dialogue, leading to the creation of a long-term engagement tool for the water-energy-food nexus. The best utilization of shared resources in Africa will be demonstrated by the instances of the Volta and Tana River basins.
Day 3:
Detailed discussion of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus and values in obtaining sustainable water, energy, and food resources. The gathering discussed the gap between the WEF’s past and present circumstances, as well as proposals for the future.
Day 4:
The meeting focused on the most important conclusions from the previous days discussions, as well as comprehending the system relationships between water, energy, and food factors. Participants, including students from Ghana and Burkina Faso, discussed and created causal loop diagrams based on the interactive system game. The summit also explored the future of the water, energy, and food relationships in connection to Vision 2063, which said that with technological advancement, efficiency and adoption will be possible.
Day 5:
The final day of the meeting included a tour to Thika Dam, which produces 85% of the water consumed in Nairobi County and its vicinity. This was a key practical example of the relationship between Climate, Land, Water, and Energy (CLEWs) in achieving sustainable livelihoods. The Epic Africa Consortium Meeting was founded on CLEWs’ debates, which focused on synchronization, previous situations, present conditions, and the future of water, energy, and food.