Mr. JohnBosco Kalisa, CEO of the East African Business Council (EABC), participated in a panel discussion centered on ‘Innovation for Energy Infrastructure.’
During the discussion, he underscored the importance of leveraging the East African Community’s (EAC) experience and lessons to enhance investment in the energy sector. Here are the key highlights from his remarks:
- Building Confidence in South Sudan’s Business Community: Mr. Kalisa emphasized the crucial role of fostering confidence within the South Sudanese business community. He stressed that investors rely on local business feedback. It is crusial to advocate for robust policies and regulations to promote trust and encourage both local and diaspora investments.
- Embracing Innovation for National Prosperity: Highlighting the transformative power of innovation, Mr. Kalisa asserted that national prosperity is not inherited but created through innovative solutions. He urged governments to create conducive environments to nurture innovation.
- Strengthening Institutions and Policies: Mr. Kalisa emphasized the need for building capable institutions and maintaining stable, predictable policies to support sustained growth in the energy sector.
- Diversification of Energy Sources: Acknowledging the importance of diversification, Mr. Kalisa advocated for exploring alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro-power to ensure energy security and sustainability.
- Establishing PPP Frameworks: Lastly, he stressed the significance of establishing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks to attract capital investments. These frameworks should delineate the roles of each party involved and incorporate models for risk and revenue sharing.
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The insights shared by Mr. Kalisa reflects the collective efforts of the EABC team towards fostering innovation and sustainable development in the energy sector.
The panel discussion was chaired by the Minister of Investment, Hon. Dhieu Mathok Diing Wol. The Mayor of Juba City Council was also present to provide local insights and perspectives on energy infrastructure development in the city.
Other panelists included Amb. Thiik Gir, the Chairman of the Chamber of Energy and Mineral, Mr. Mayiik Nyok, the Deputy Managing Director of Nile Petroleum Corporation and Ghebre Ezra, the Managing Director of Ezra Construction and Development Group.
