There is the need for Africa to boldly invest, encourage regional collaboration and innovate inclusively to accelerate the continent’s renewable energy agenda.
Also, African governments, private sector players and development partners must step up efforts to unlock the continent’s vast renewable energy potential.
The Minister of Energy and Climate Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, made the call at the West Africa Green Economy Round-table (WAGER 2025) ceremony in Accra.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of the ministry, Solomon Adjetey, Mr Abdulai Jinapor described the transition as critical to achieving a sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He stressed that the continent’s future prosperity depended on harnessing its abundant clean energy resources.
“Africa possesses about 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources, yet the continent contributes only 1.4 per cent of global installed photovoltaic capacity,” he said.
He stated that despite the huge potential in solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy, issues such as outdated grids, high financing costs, and limited access to electricity impact over 600 million people and continue to hinder the continent.
“Over 600 million Africans still lack access to reliable electricity, while outdated grids lose up to 16 per cent of transmitted power.”
Mr Jinapor stressed that these challenges must not be viewed as barriers but as opportunities for innovation, investment and collaboration.
WAGER
The WAGER 2025 was organised by the Pent TV, a television station of The Church of Pentecost, Pent Media Centre (PMC), in partnership with the African Consolidated Analytical Limited (Nigeria).
It was held on the theme: “Advancing Sustainable Development through Green Growth in West Africa”.
It formed part of the activities to mark the 10th anniversary of Pent TV, the premier television station of The Church of Pentecost, Pent Media Centre (PMC).
The Impact Awards recognised and celebrated businesses and organisations making significant contributions to national and regional prosperity.
It brought together industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, banks, project promoters, academics and advocates of the green economy.
Framework
Mr Jinapor described the National Energy Transition Framework as the government’s comprehensive road map to align holistically with global climate commitments while positioning Africa’s energy sector for accelerated growth.
“Our target is to reach net zero emissions by 2070, but we are working even harder to achieve this milestone goal much earlier,” he said.
He said the three main strategies to drive the transition framework include policy frameworks and regional collaboration, mobilising investments, advancing green industrialisation and technology adoption, and community empowerment.
He called for stronger public-private partnerships, phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and leveraging green bonds and concessionary financing to fund renewable energy expansion.
He highlighted the country’s construction of 35 solar mini-grid systems for lakeside and island communities, the promotion of electric mobility and the local production of clean cookstoves as examples of ongoing progress.
He identified artificial intelligence for grid management and green hydrogen production for domestic and export markets as future drivers of growth and exports.
According to the minister, the renewable energy transition can create millions of jobs, improve public health and stimulate prosperity for 1.5 billion Africans.
He stressed that achieving this required urgent collective action.
“Accelerating Africa’s renewable energy transition is not an option—it is an imperative.
By harnessing our abundant renewable resources, we can light up Africa and illuminate the world.”
Mr Jinapor further underscored that policies, investment and technology must move together, saying, “Policies enable investment, investment fuels technology and technology empowers people.”
