Abstract : The International Conference on Water and Energy kicked off in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Tuesday.

RABAT, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The International Conference on Water and Energy kicked off in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Tuesday.

Held under the theme "Water Storage and Hydroelectric Energy in Africa," the three-day event attracted some 650 attendants representing 66 countries.

Given its huge potential, the hydroelectric sector can be, if developed, a valuable source to boost human development in the African continent, said Charafat Afilal, the Moroccan minister of water, at the opening of the conference.

Afilal said that Africa shares 14 percent of the world's untapped hydroelectric power, adding that the sector can help Africa produce around 300 gigawatts of electricity, she added.

In this regard, she called for launching mega projects to enhance the development of hydroelectricity in Africa, namely the construction of water infrastructure, such as dams.