REPORTS

Summary report

The Africa High-level Roundtable on Sustainable Hydropower took place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday 6 February 2020. The roundtable was co-organised by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), with support from the French Development Agency (AFD).

Outcomes

The meeting concluded with agreement to:

Improve hydropower’s image in Africa

• More and better hydropower is an essential part of the energy transition

Create an enabling environment for hydropower

• Work with governments and regional power pools on policy and regulation, utility transformation and critical transmission interconnections
• Link energy development with economic development/planning, which requires national leadership

Value hydropower correctly to account for:

• Long-term operation of hydropower over many decades
• Multi-benefits of hydropower including water supply, agriculture and climate services
• Supporting other renewables through storage and flexibility
• Financing using local currency

Embed sustainability and climate requirements

• Use tools on ESG, climate mitigation and climate resilience in project selection, financing and operations

Engage in hydropower projects

• Opportunities for new hydropower
• Modernisation needs in Africa: rehabilitation opportunities
• Sustainability trainings and assessments in Africa