Regional Network in Energy for Women in Middle East and North Africa (RENEW MENA) hosts gender and energy specialists from across the globe, to foster collaboration towards inclusive energy transition.

RENEW MENA, a platform launched in 2022, dedicated to promoting women in energy in technical fields and leadership positions, successfully organized its first regional conference exactly one year after its launch; from June 22-23, 2023.

The conference brought together about 100 esteemed representatives from government agencies, academia, international financial institutions (IFIs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector from over 20 countries.

“Women are playing an important role in clean energy, and we need networks like RENEW MENA to not only support women as they advance in the sector but amplify regional and global recognition of their many contributions,” stated Excellency Sabah M Mashaly, Chairman and Managing Director, Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company.

The timing of the event comes at the heels of the energy transition aspiration across the region which further emphasizes the importance of collaboration between governments and private sector to ensure inclusive transition. MENA countries are setting ambitious targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency that should have a positive impact on labor markets by creating more and better jobs.

“To be a RENEW partner, institutions must demonstrate commitment to meeting at least one of the objectives in the three pillars by identifying activities they plan to carry out within their institution and setting clear targets to allow for monitoring of progress made,” states Elisabeth Maier, Senior Operations Officer and Task Team Lead of RENEW at the World Bank.

The primary objective of the conference was to facilitate dialogue, share experiences, and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders with the common goal of creating more and better job opportunities for women in the energy sector. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, the event was successful in inspiring the participants to engage in robust discussions, highlighting best practices, successful case studies, and innovative approaches in promoting women in the energy sector, and thereby showcased the transformative potential a regional network like RENEW MENA can have.

The collective expertise and interventions of both the distinguished speakers and the participants underscored the urgency of collaboration to achieve gender equality in an inclusive energy transition. The conference allowed participants to connect, build relationships, network, define opportunities of future collaboration and joint work programs.

“Boosting the role of women in clean energy is not just an aspiration, it is a requisite for MENA countries to meet the future demands of their growing economies.” Ferid Belhaj, VP World Bank. “The Bank is ready to support the RENEW MENA initiative and its partners on their journey to increase outcomes by providing a regional framework for local and practical action.”

The RENEW MENA, through its Steering Committee and Interim Secretariat, decided to dedicate the first year’s award to acknowledge individuals and institutions for their accomplishments in driving the energy transition and giving a role model for the Women and institutions in the region.

“Our region is home to immense female talent that remains untapped,” Excellency Amani Mohammad Hassan Al-Azzam, Jordan General Secretary of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, “I welcome RENEW as an opportunity to bring countries together, share lessons and work collectively toward clean energy goals.”

RENEW MENA awards were granted by Paul Noumba Um, World Bank Regional Infrastructure Director for MENA, and Husam Beides, World Bank Energy Practice Manager for MENA to acknowledge individuals and institutions for their accomplishments in driving the energy transition and being a role model for the women and institutions in the region: individual awardees are Eng. Sabah Mashaly, CEO of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC); and Eng. Amani Al Azzam Undersecretary of the Jordan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; as well as institutional awardees: Société Tunisienne de l'Electricité et du Gaz (STEG) and Infinity company in Egypt. The World Bank has also recognized the women role models who supported RENEW MENA since its initiation by joining its Steering Committee and guiding its work.

The RENEW MENA initiative is planning to concentrate on coordinating partner activities at national level, carrying out regional activities, and closely monitoring activities’ progress; thereby contributing to enhancing women’s participation and role in the energy sector.

RENEW MENA was initiated through the MNA Energy and Gender Program (MENAGEN) which is financed by the multi-donor funded Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

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