This UNEP ARGeo project is being implemented in 2021-24 with the support of UNEP and other partners after the completion of GEF Funded project in December 2020. The Eleventh ARGeo project Steering Committee meeting held back to back the Eighth Africa Rift Geothermal Conference (ARGeo C8) endorsed the continuation of the Post GEF UNEP ARGeo programme on Monday 2 November 2020. You can find the report below for your reference:
The Eleventh ARGeo project Steering Committee

The GEF Funded ARGeo project has achieved significant milestones, through the GEF support starting from 2011, through its two major project Components:

1. Regional Networking, Information Systems, Capacity Building, Policy Advice and awareness creation.
2. Technical Assistance for Surface Exploration Studies.

The member countries appreciated the support they have received so far through the GEF Funded ARGeo programme and indicated its significant contribution:
(i) to catalyse investments in geothermal sector in member countries through identification of their resources and mitigation of risks associated with exploration;
(ii) to develop capacity and skill of more than 500 home grown women and youth in geothermal science and technology to untap their geothermal resources;
(iii) serve as a vehicle and platform to create a regional hub, regional cooperation and partnership;
(iv) develop a web-GIS based regional Geothermal inventory database in the geothermal sector.

This two year programme will focus on the “Mainstreaming of the direct use application of geothermal resources for Sustainable development in the continent

ARGeo was officially launched in November 2010 at the opening session of the Third African Rift Geothermal Conference (ARGeo-C3) in Djibouti..

UN Environment ARGeo project aims at supporting the development of the large untapped geothermal resource potential in the Eastern Africa region with the main objective of reducing the risks associated with the resource’s exploration. ARGeo also aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by promoting the adoption of geothermal energy in the region.

ARGeo will also help demonstrate that the resource is reliable, cost effective and indigenous as compared to other sources of power in the Eastern Africa region. The utilization of the resource in agriculture and industry will also be promoted.

Expected Output:

1. A number of geothermal fields explored in the region
2. Geothermal resource sites with high energy potential identified and investment catalyzed
3. Skilled manpower in geothermal resource investigation and management of projects developed
4. Clear and coherent Geothermal policy, legislation and institutional framework developed
5. Regional Networking hubs- information based Geothermal database created

Our Objective

Target Countries

Our Partners

Project Components

• Our objective is to encourage both Private and Public developers to accelerate development of geothermal resource in the East Africa Region

• The GEF funded UN Environment ARGeo project has 6 member countries namely: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Furthermore, under the framework of “Regional Networking and Capacity Building components”. ARGeo targets other 7 geothermal potential countries which are Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
• • African Union Commission - Germany Development Bank (KfW)
  • International Icelandic Development Agency (ICEIDA)
  • German Federal institute of Geosiences and Natural Resources (BGR)
  • United Nations University-Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP)
  • ARGeo Member Countries
• The UNEP- ARGeo Project has two major components:
  1. Regional Networking, Information Systems, Capacity Building, Policy Advice and awareness creation.
  2. Technical Assistance for Surface Exploration Studies.