Africa must stop sitting on the sidelines of the global energy transition debate and urgently chart its own course based on its development realities, scholars and officials have said at an international conference convened at the University of Ghana.
The International Conference on the Political Economy of the Just Energy Transition and Inequality in Africa, held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) in Accra, brought together policymakers, academics and development partners to examine how African countries can navigate the global shift away from fossil fuels without deepening inequality or undermining economic growth.
Lead convener Prof. Abdul Gafaru Abdulai said the conference was called to fill a critical gap in the global climate conversation. “There have been a lot of conversations globally around energy transition. Unfortunately, much of this conversation has not actually been taking place on the African continent,” he said.
He described Africa’s position in the global climate discourse as deeply paradoxical. “Our continent occupies a paradoxical position. We contribute the least to climate change, yet we are the ones bearing the brunt of its impact,” he said, adding that Africa must reduce its dependence on imported energy and leverage its abundant natural resources to build resilient domestic energy systems.
Prof. Abdulai warned that while the transition was inevitable, it had to be pursued at a pace that would not destabilise fragile economies. He called on African governments to explore their renewable energy potential and consider directing portions of oil revenues toward greener energy development.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition Richard Gyan-Mensah said the transition must be pursued on terms that protect the most vulnerable. “We believe that the energy transition is necessary for both environmental and economic reasons, but it must be just and leave no one behind,” he said.
He disclosed that Ghana currently achieves an electricity access rate of almost 90 percent and remains committed to reaching universal access by 2030. He also announced the establishment of a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund designed to support local green technologies, attract investment and ultimately reduce electricity tariffs. The Deputy Minister added that the government was developing standardised power purchase agreements and competitive procurement systems to attract credible private sector investment into renewables, and had plans to install solar-powered street lights nationwide.
Danish Ambassador to Ghana Jacob Linulf, also addressing the conference, urged sustained commitment to climate action despite global instability. “We must remain focused on climate action and the green energy transition, no matter the competing pressures in today’s world,” he said.
