The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kenya are set to bolster their trade ties, particularly in the energy sector, following high-level discussions held in Riyadh. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman hosted Davis Chirchir, the Kenyan Energy Cabinet Secretary, to deliberate on a variety of initiatives, including the “Empower Africa” project.
The talks were a platform for both parties to present and explore solutions across several sectors. Key focus areas included advancements in clean energy, communications, electronic health, and digital education.
The Saudi Press Agency has reported that the discussions also ventured into the realm of petroleum and its supplies, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Both nations are keen on sharing expertise and experiences in project development, policy-making, and systems implementation.
In a statement released by Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the department expressed its eagerness to forge partnerships that would accelerate the achievement of its developmental milestones in the energy and petroleum sectors.
The Kenyan government has set ambitious environmental goals, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent. To reach this target, the nation is working towards relying entirely on clean energy by the year 2030. Currently, renewable sources comprise over 92 percent of Kenya’s energy mix, according to the ministry.
Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Big 4 Agenda, both key developmental frameworks, identify energy security as a critical factor. The Department for Energy in Kenya underscores the importance of energy in transitioning to an industrialized, middle-income economy with a high quality of life in a secure and pristine environment.
The country’s Third Medium Plan for 2017-2022 highlights energy as a fundamental driver of socio-economic progress, with access to competitively priced, reliable, quality, safe, and sustainable energy deemed vital.
In an ambitious move announced during the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week in October 2023, the Saudi energy minister unveiled a comprehensive plan to support African countries with electricity, telecommunication, e-learning, and e-medical services. This initiative is set to be a collaborative effort managed by the Kingdom’s ministries responsible for health, energy, and communications, alongside stc and Dawyiat.