Addis Ababa: World Bank appreciated Ethiopia’s progress and reaffirmed the Bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Government of Ethiopia’s endeavors to ensure universal energy access for the citizens.
The Ministry of Finance and the World Bank jointly conducted a workshop on energy sector reform in Addis Ababa.
The Ministry of Water and Energy, Ethiopian Electric Power, Ethiopian Electric Utility, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, and other key stakeholders have also participated at the workshop.
Opening of the workshop, Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide emphasized the importance of having enough clean energy that is affordable, accessible and of high quality for the citizens.
Moreover, he stated that the energy sector is the core of the country’s economy, as its infrastructure development can stimulate and attract more high-quality investment that contributes to rapid and sustainable development.
Ahmed acknowledged the World Bank for financing the large portfolio operations under implementation in th
e sector.
Referring energy sector reform as one of the target areas under the upcoming Home Grown Economic Reform 2 (HGER 2.0), Ahmed requested continuous support from the Bank for the reform agenda indicating the need for huge investment and collaboration of key partners and stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes set by the government.
Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa highlighted the progress made so far in the energy sector related to access, transmission, distribution, and improving services.
He also expressed gratitude to the Bank for its valuable technical assistance and urged continued collaboration.
World Bank’s Country Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan Ousmane Dione appreciated Ethiopia’s progress and reaffirmed the Bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Government of Ethiopia’s endeavors to ensure universal energy access for the citizens.
Consecutive discussion sessions were made at the workshop on universal energy access, sustainable financing for en
ergy expansion, and structural and regulatory reforms whereby different milestones were set for further deliberation and effort to advance the energy sector reform agenda, according to Finance Ministry
Source: Ethiopian News Agency