The slow adoption of renewables in the energy sector within the African continent sparked
conversations in the search for actionable ways to drive proper change. The significant
unexploited African potential brought about the need for African stakeholders to come
together in Channelling relevant ideas towards advancing accessibility to affordable, reliable
and accessible energy for communities within Africa.
Speaking during the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa forum, APRA, on 14th-
16th October in Nairobi, Kenya, the IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera hided a call to
the African countries and their stakeholders to stir up the adoption of renewables towards
reforming the continent.
“We must ensure that this Forum leads to tangible results that directly contribute to
transforming the Continent’s energy landscape. It is crucial that the conclusions we reach here
lay the foundation for real progress.”
The Investment forum marks the first APRA event after the collaboration by African presidents
to have its initiation during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit. Under the Secretariat of IRENA, the
partnered countries include Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
With the African population projected to increase in the next 30 years, there stands need for
boosted investments for renewables to sustain the growing population. The statistics provided
proves that, only 3% of the energy renewables are made in Africa despite the continent housing
over 17% of the world population. This includes the continents hydro-power, wind energy,
Geothermal power, Solar radiations and Biomass. The low energy production has prompted
over 600 million households to lack access to electrical power energy.
Highlighting the major challenges in the amendment of Energy renewables within the African
continent, financial incapabilities topped the list. This is with deficient in financial investments
both from the public and private investors. Moreover, the advancement of the case has led
about the unrevolutionary of Africa to advance to renewables. Present during the forum, the CS
to Energy and petroleum in Kenya, Hon Opiyo Wandayi highlighted the need for fostered
partnerships, research and collaboration as a way of increasing the achievement of the process.
” The success of these efforts, however, depends on sustained public and private investment in
clean energy development, manufacturing, research, and innovation. At the same time, we
must foster collaborative networks and partnerships, both within Africa and globally, to amplify
the impact of these investments.”
Statistics provided by IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing platform (ETAF),
indicates that 55% of the projects received from the sub-Saharan Africa lack the ability of
flowing to the next level. The projects face challenges in business development stages, never
reaching the stage when financiers can look at them.
For Africa to harness the potential of renewable energy a systemic approach is required.
Innovative power generating technologies such as solar, green hydrogen, and other projects
that can materialize at a faster rate are key in facilitating energy transition. This falls inline with
the energy innovations serving key in propelling economic growth and turning African countries
into frontrunners in the global clean energy transition.
Supporting this during the deep dive panel discussion, Kofi Macauley, CEO SEWA Energy
Resources in Sierra Leone highlighted the need to have local developers and their innovations
supported as they serve relevant in advancing renewable development.
“We should not underestimate the value of a local developer. What local developer has as a
tool of a starter, they have the network with the community and government and that is a lot
of value to a project.”
Working towards a new approach of international cooperation and collaboration with partner
countries including Denmark, Germany, the UAE and the USA together with GEAPP and
Rockefeller Brother Fund as supporting partners, APRA’s goal of enhancing energy security and
commitment to achieve renewables within Africa was adopted as a key reiteration throughout
the forum.
In encouraging energy security, Alda Sltdlkovu, Director Energy Eurasia and MENA, Sustainable
Infrastructure group, stated the need for energy security in making sure that African countries
create value for their economic advancement.
“Renewables are the answers to the energy trilemma. Energy security is something that is
around renewables and around connectivity to enable safe systems that can balance each
other, which facilitates cross regional trade and economic growth for the countries in sub-
Saharan Africa.”
Closing with his remarks, Francesco La Camera, the IRENA director general stated the APRAs
commitment to ensure that Africa’s energy transition to renewables is not delayed. This is with
shared responsibility and collaboration towards channelling a worthy course.
“The road ahead is challenging, but with bold decisions and collective commitment, we will
drive the change that Africa and the world so desperately need.”
