Morocco, role model in rural electrification in Africa, expert

   Morocco's achievements in the area of rural electrification, a key element to reach sustainable development, enabled it to become an example for other African countries, Boutayeb told MAP on the sidelines of the closing session of the 3rd African Forum of Electric Energy held on June 4-5.

   The rate of rural electrification in Morocco reached 96%  in March 2009 against 19% in 1995.

   The Renewable Energy Development Centre (CDER) presented the broad lines of Morocco's policy regarding the financing and the promotion of renewable energy, he recalled, noting that the different African partners showed interest in the Moroccan expertise in the area.

   The north African countries could serve as a bridge in terms of  the search for financing from the financial institutions to draw more investments towards the African continent, Boutayeb said.

    "The wisdom, co-operation and the spirit of tolerance of the Sub-Saharan countries could constitute major accomplishments (..)  to optimise trans-regional and cross-border cooperation with North Africa," he said.

    The forum was marked by the "Africa Power Forum Awards 2009" awarded to a Spanish enterprise that manages a major electric project in Morocco and Algeria, the Tunisian National Agency for Energy Management and the West Africa Power Pool company (Côte d’Ivoire).

   Organized by I-conférence in partnership with the Energy Ministry and UPDEA, the event, themed "Competitive Energy and Sustainable Development", gathered 220 participants from 19 countries.