In accordance with the decisions of the AREI Board of Directors, the Independent Implementation Unit (IDU) will consolidate and extend its scope to cover salary costs, rental and travel costs and other costs.
The main measures related to the consolidation of the Implementation Unit during Phase I will include

Recruit more staff, mainly from Africa, to bring the total staff to about 30 people (25 professional and 5 administrative staff) in two years, as appropriate;
Mobilize/build capacity within the Independent Implementation Unit by establishing a fellowship programme and providing opportunities for young professionals from Africa to actively participate in the work of the Implementation Unit between 12 and 24 months as part of a concerted strategy to strengthen the network of Africa's future energy experts.
Consolidate monitoring and evaluation procedures;
Develop knowledge management systems necessary for all AREI work (to be used by the Implementation Unit and partner institutions);
Develop internal and external communication systems;
Consider/ prepare and plan the establishment of an African Energy Institute that would be directly linked to AREI and its Independent Implementation Unit and empowered to conduct policy-relevant research activities on behalf of AREI and expand the training of students/academics, technical and administrative professionals, policy makers, media, civil society and companies within the framework of AREI.