South Africa joined the International Energy Agency as an association country, a milestone for energy governance in Africa, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced late on Tuesday.
According to the announcement, South Africa is a major player in African energy markets representing the largest energy consumer on the continent.
'The IEA is prioritizing work in Africa in the years ahead, and South Africa will be a critical partner for launching and delivering an ambitious array of energy access, security and clean energy transition initiatives across the continent,' the IEA stated.
A number of agreements were signed between Dr. Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, and Jeff Radebe, minister of energy of the Republic of South Africa,
Among the agreements signed by the two leaders was a three-year joint program of work identifying opportunities for collaboration on energy statistics, energy efficiency, electrification and power system transition, renewables integration, energy innovation, and domestic gas market design.
The result has been a marked growth in the IEA family to include 30 members and eight association countries, representing almost 75 percent of global energy consumption.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
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