As part of its ongoing activities under the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund (funded by the Government of Brazil), the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department of the African Development Bank hosted a high-level workshop in Cairo, Egypt, on June 11, 2013 to showcase the results and recommendations of an analytical study, "Clean Technology Transfer Mechanisms in Egypt Based on Best Practices from Southern Countries."
The study came up with six recommendation to foster clean technology transfer based on Egypt's existing capacities, market potential, and needs: (i) develop and animate collaborative networks within the public, private, and public-private spheres; (ii) develop a program of targeted funds for collaborative research and development (R&D) in clean technologies; (iii) increase consumer and producer awareness building on the green/sustainability agenda; (iv) continue strong emphasis on wind and solar energy sources, but add more emphasis on biofuels and recycling of wastes; (v) strengthen implementation and compliance of green regulation; and (vi) promote the entrepreneurial ecosystem to accelerate the creation of clean-tech-based enterprises.
The workshop brought together high-level participants from the Egyptian technology transfer continuum, including academia, private sector, entrepreneurs and researchers, and renowned experts from selected institutions in southern economies in Latin America, including Argentina and Chile, to discuss the best adaptable lessons in clean technology transfer and climate innovation from southern economies to Egypt. One participant commented that "it was great to have an opportunity like this to meet the relevant stakeholders, which we have not been connected to so far."
Egypt stands to benefit from major investments in renewable energies with a strong emphasis on local job creation and economic growth. Research indicates that about four to six green jobs per megawatt (MW) of generation capacity can be created through local manufacturing alone. More precisely, research indicates that overall investments foreseen in the next five years in renewable energy in Egypt could lead up to 100,000 green jobs. However, it will require the simultaneous use of numerous levers. For example, simply pouring money into the construction of renewable energy power plants - while neglecting, for example, worker training and, in the longer term, R&D - will not maximize the benefits of a renewable energy industry.
The workshop featured keynote presentations by expert representatives of selected organizations in technology transfer and climate innovation from Latin America, notably, María Eugenia Fernández, Fundación Chile; Jose Luis Inglese, Inglese Consultores S.A. (Argentina) as well as Maged El-Sherbiny, President of the Egyptian Academy for Scientific Research and Technology.
By facilitating exchanges from similar emerging economies, this workshop solidifies the position of the African Development Bank as a leading institution in climate innovation and technology transfer. One of the main objectives of the new AfDB Strategy for 2013-2022 is transitioning to green growth on the African continent. The Bank has initiated the South-South exchange of innovative good practices and knowledge-sharing. It has also offered to accompany the Government of Egypt closely in its clean technology transfer transition.
