African Energy Commission of the African Union’s Post

One of the compelling takeaways from the recent discussions on Africa’s energy future held by Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) is the undeniable potential of our continent’s vast resource wealth not just to drive economic growth but social equity. The key to unlocking this potential lies in INNOVATION. By investing in cutting-edge technologies, fostering public-private partnerships and building resilient infrastructure we can deliver clean and affordable energy for all. #FEC2024 #FutureOfEnergy #Innovation #EnergyAccess #EnergyEfficiency #EnergySustainability #ResourceWealth

[WATCH] In a VIP interview, Dr. Atul Arya, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Strategist at S&P Global, shared profound insights during #AfricanEnergyWeek2024. The discussion centered on the proactive strategies African nations are employing to harness their abundant natural resources and enhance energy access for their populations. Dr. Arya emphasized the critical role of local operators in driving clean energy adoption, particularly in advancing solutions that support decarbonization at the community level. These initiatives not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also strengthen local economies and empower communities to achieve greater energy independence. His insights highlighted the innovative and collaborative strategies transforming Africa’s energy landscape, underscoring the importance of partnerships and forward-thinking approaches in addressing the continent’s energy challenges. Watch the full VIP interview on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/ed-WcNen Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry leaders like Dr. Arya at #AEW2025! Secure your #EarlyBirdTickets today and join the movement. Register now! https://lnkd.in/eCRRw2yg   #AfricanEnergyWeek #AEW2025 #AEWTickets #AEW #EnergyConference

With just five years left until Agenda 2030, how close is Africa to achieving SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy? As of 2023, Africa’s SDG 7 score stood at only 36.9%, indicating slow progress towards achieving this goal across the continent. Inadequate demand-based innovations in the implementation of clean energy systems was consistently identified as a key factor behind this slow progress during the "Unstoppable Africa: The Solution for a Global Future" discussions, organized by the Global Africa Business Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact, alongside the 79th UN General Assembly #UNGA79. As Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec ASA highlighted, clean energy transition should not only be looked at as a cost but also as an opportunity. Echoing Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, the private and public sectors in #Africa should focus on innovative areas with the potential of greatest impact to improve the affordability and accessibility of clean energy within the continent. #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Agenda2030 #SDGs

🌍 Exciting Times Ahead for Africa's Energy Future! 🚀 This week, I had the privilege of following the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2024 held in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain. Celebrating its 26th year, AEF continues to be the premier platform for collaboration and innovation in Africa's energy sector, bringing together diverse stakeholders, investors, and future leaders. Under the theme of "Energy Systems of the Future – Balancing Africa's Needs with Global Goals," key discussion topics included: 🔹 Increasing the scale and pace of projects and investments. 🔹 Leveraging decarbonisation policies to boost private sector participation in energy-intensive industries.  🔹 Evaluating the impact of global climate goals on Africa's ability to invest in its future. For Africa to achieve universal access to affordable, clean energy, both the private and public sectors must play their respective roles. The private sector needs to drive innovation, invest in scalable technologies, and develop sustainable business models that can adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities within African markets. Meanwhile, the public sector must create an enabling environment through supportive policies, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure investments that facilitate private sector engagement and ensure equitable access to energy. AEF aligns with the ambitious goals of the Africa Development Bank and the World Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, AEF helps to mobilize the necessary resources and expertise to turn these aspirations into reality. Fostering cross-sector collaborations and embracing technological innovations will remain key in driving sustainable development and ensuring that Africa's energy landscape meets both local needs and global aspirations. Looking forward to evolving these conversations into meaningful initiatives that power a greener future for Africa! 🌱✨ #AEF2024 #AfricaEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation #Collaboration #EnergyTransition #UniversalAccess #CleanEnergy 

Imagine a world where clean energy powers every home, every business, and every community in Africa. A world where innovative minds work tirelessly to solve the continent's most pressing energy challenges, unlocking opportunities for growth, sustainability, and equality. Now, imagine you are at the forefront of this transformation. The Sustainable Energy Accelerator 2025 is not just a program; it is a movement to inspire, empower, and equip the next generation of energy innovators in Africa. Through this accelerator, you will gain access to cutting-edge resources, expert mentorship, and a community of like-minded changemakers committed to shaping Africa's sustainable energy future. If you have ever dreamed of driving meaningful change in your community while solving real-world challenges, this is your chance to make it happen. 🔗 Applications are now open: https://bit.ly/sea2025 ⏳ Deadline: 15th January 2025 (11:59 PM GMT+1) The future of sustainable energy innovation is calling. #SustainableEnergy #Leadership #Innovation #AIIDEVAfrica #CleanEnergy #Africa

The global shift to #cleanerenergy is more than an environmental imperative—it’s an opportunity to redefine our economies, empower communities, and build a sustainable future. In Africa, the energy transition holds transformative potential: ✅ Expanding energy access to underserved populations. ✅ Supporting local economies with decentralised #renewableenergy solutions. ✅ Reducing reliance on fossil fuels while creating sustainable, green jobs. However, challenges remain. Issues like financing gaps, policy misalignment, and technological capacity require urgent attention. The critical question is, how do we ensure this #transition is inclusive, equitable, and leaves no one behind? By leveraging innovation, collaboration, and targeted investments, we can unlock Africa’s full potential in the #cleanenergy era. Technologies like #greenhydrogen, #solarinnovations, and advanced #energystorage are poised to lead this transformation. What are your thoughts on driving an inclusive energy transition across the continent? I’d love to hear your perspective. #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction

Great advocacy for the rights of the global south in equal opportunities taking in consideration that they emit less than the global north. Energy is a key to develop nations and providing perfect substitiute to fossil fuel requires funds that global south can not afford.

❓ If Europe can't afford the energy #transition, who can? A recent Bruegel - Improving economic policy Brief paints a challenging picture for Europe’s energy transition. To meet its 2030 climate goals, the #EU needs an additional €1.3 trillion annually—7.7% of its GDP. 😬. Add fiscal constraints, political resistance, and sector-specific challenges, and it’s clear it will be an uphill battle... Is Subsaharan #Africa’s pathway any different? It could be, and two key factors stand out: proportions, which favor Africa’s smaller #energy systems, and #leapfrogging, which enables the continent to bypass costly, outdated infrastructure. 💡 First things first, proportions. Energy systems in Africa are dramatically smaller. Europe’s installed capacity exceeds 1000GW, while Sub-Saharan Africa’s stands at just 90GW. This matters because the scale of investment needed will be far lower in absolute terms. While aging #grids and energy-intensive industries must be retrofitted and decarbonized in Europe, the smaller energy footprint in Africa offers a less capital-intensive starting point. The difference in scale alone makes the energy transition more feasible. 🔋 Then there’s leapfrogging. Unlike in Europe, African countries do not need to replicate the fossil fuel-heavy model of the past. To a certain extent, they can focus on decentralized #solar systems, tailored to local needs, #green transport solutions, such as electric two-wheelers, and innovative financing mechanisms, such as #carboncredits. These approaches reduce costs, address rural #electrification, and build systems that readily align with sustainable development goals. 🌍 The energy transition in Subsaharan Africa does not necessarily need to follow the European model. Resilient investments can be prioritized over replication as a unique opportunity to address energy needs sustainably while fostering inclusive growth. Aquí esta: https://lnkd.in/d88BW449 #EnergyTransition #Africa #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment Photo credits: Johannes Plenio

Only about 20% of clean energy investments flows to the Global South. But this is not enough. Availing a consistent flow of development finance for developing & emerging countries is crucial if we are to meet the #SDGs in the backdrop of geopolitical challenges. This can be realized through international #cooperation calling for an equitable distribution of #climate finance, debt relief & the operationalization of a loss & damage fund, as well as more public-private partnerships. World Economic Forum #SpecialMeeting24

🔌 Making #Mission300 a Catalyst for Real Transformation in #Africa Energy Sector and Beyond 🌍   Electricity goes beyond just powering homes—it transforms lives, economies, and industries. Yet, nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity.   #Mission300, launched by The World Bank, African Development Bank Group, and partners like The Rockefeller Foundation, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), aims to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030. However, the real challenge lies not just in meeting this target, but in ensuring that energy access drives economic growth, empowers local businesses, and supports Africa’s green transition.   🔑 Key to Success for #Mission300: Aligning Local and Global Interests Engage local actors beyond being consumers of electricity, involving them throughout the value chain—from local content production to technology transfer and capacity building. Boost local private sector participation by removing barriers that limit access to financing, creating opportunities for African entrepreneurs and businesses to lead the energy transition.   💡 On-Lending Facilities: A Game Changer On-lending facilities unlock local financing by channeling international finance and climate instruments through local banks.   🌱 Balancing Climate Goals with Economic Competitiveness While the cost of renewable energy has dropped significantly, African countries must balance climate goals with economic competitiveness. A diversified energy mix—including renewables, natural gas, hydropower, and hybrid solutions—will be essential to deliver affordable, reliable electricity for all.   🤝 The Bottom Line: Electricity as a Catalyst for Socioeconomic Transformation Electricity is not just an end in itself—it’s a tool for socioeconomic transformation across Africa. With the right policies, incentives, and alignment of local and global interests, #Mission300 can catalyze real, lasting change. It has the potential to create jobs, boost industries, and pave the way for a sustainable future.   🔑 Navigating Political, Economic, and Climate Realities The success of #Mission300 hinges on navigating complex political, economic, and social dynamics. Achieving this requires balancing global and local interests, economic growth, and climate goals. African countries must prioritize both affordable, reliable energy and sustainability through a diversified energy mix. 🔗 Read the full piece below to explore how we can make this vision a reality.   #EnergyAccess #Africa #Mission300 #Sustainability #EconomicGrowth #RenewableEnergy #GreenTransition #InfrastructureDevelopment Andrew Herscowitz Damilola Ogunbiyi Ashvin Dayal Ousmane Diagana