The African Union Commission, Department of Infrastructure and Energy conducted a Training Workshop on Advanced Small Hydropower (SHP) Systems for Member States from 22nd to 27th November 2015 in Cairo, Egypt. This Training Workshop is the third in a series of capacity building activities on hydropower systems for energy experts in African countries. 

The 5 day workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy (MOERE) of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Leadership Training Centre through the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC).

The Workshop was attended by 23 energy experts from African countries i.e. Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cameroun, Congo DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Namibia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

At the closing, Eng. Itumeleng Ramone from Lesotho and Mr. Assan Todeman from Benin, representing the participants, thanked the African Union Commission for continuing to build the capacities of Member States. They highlighted that the Training Workshop provided the participants with further insights and understanding on the technical, economic, environmental and social aspects of Small Hydropower Systems (SHP).

In his closing remarks, Mr. Atef Marzouk, Acting Head of Energy Division of the Department of Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission, stressed that the Commission is committed to the promotion of modern and sustainable energy access for all Africans. Mr. Marzouk emphasized the need for the participants to use the experiences and skills gained during the training to stimulate and promote small hydropower (SHP) in their respective countries. He further re-iterated the commitment of the Commission to continue building the capacities of Member States on all aspects of energy including renewable energy systems.

In his speech, Eng. Gaber Desouky, the Chairman of the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), representing the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt expressed his support and encouraged the African Union Commission to continue building the capacities of Member States. He stressed that Egypt will continue to work together with other Member States to share experiences and lessons learnt in the development and utilization of small hydropower and other renewable energy systems. He also expressed his gratitude that Egypt has been selected to host the Training Workshops and also highlighted a wide range of training courses and facilities in energy development that Egypt can offer to the African Union Commission and other Member States.

His Excellency, the Vice Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Eng. Osama Assran handed out Certificates of Attendance to the participants.