Midrand – The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) will be participating in a high-level Ministerial Resource Mobilisation Workshop and Energy Investment Forum in Swaziland, from 12 to 13 July 2017. The objective of the workshop and investment forum is to forge practical and sustainable solutions capable of addressing the power deficit in the region and attracting investment into the region’s energy infrastructure. The DBSA is participating in the forum in its capacity as fund manager and implementer of the SADC Project Preparation Development Fund. The Fund is responsible for preparing sustainable infrastructure in the SADC region. “The DBSA is honoured to be participating in this forum as the objectives are aligned to our mandate as a leading development finance institution in the region committed to delivering infrastructure projects on the continent. We believe that the forum will facilitate the exchange of ideas on addressing the energy challenges in the region.” says Mohale Rakgate, DBSA’s General Manager for Project Preparation. Since 2013, more than 60% of African infrastructure investment has gone into energy projects. Despite this, Sub-Saharan Africa still experiences low levels of electrification which hinders economic growth and development. With 78% of the population relying on biomass. In 2016 the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held its 36th Summit in Swaziland themed “Resource Mobilsation for Investment in Sustainable Energy Infrastructure for an Inclusive SADC Industrialisation and for the Prosperity of the Region.” In order to operationalise this theme, the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in March 2017 endorsed the convening of a High-Level Ministerial Workshop and Regional Investment Conference on Regional Energy Projects to showcase investment opportunities in the energy sector, focusing on specific flagship projects. Projects and new funding initiatives for energy projects will be presented by SADC Government departments and agencies, Multi-lateral Banks, Development Finance institutions, Project Owners and Developers. ENDS For more information contact Mohale Rakgate: General Manager: Project Preparations Funds Email: Mohaler@dbsa.org Sebolelo Matsoso: Media Relations Tel: 011 313 3911 Email: Sebolelom@dbsa.org Tags: DBSA, funding, Mohale Rakgate, Projeact Preparation, Resource Mobilisaiton, SADC, SADC PPDF, Swaziland, Workshop and Energy Investment Forum
