Africa has the potential to become a global leader in renewable energy, transforming its socio-economic landscape, according to Kenyan President William Samoeri Ruto. Speaking during the Africa
Climate Summit Ministerial conference in Nairobi, Kenya, President Ruto shared a bold vision for the continent's future. He emphasized
that harnessing new technologies and climate financing opportunities could pave
the way for Africa to provide reliable and cost-effective energy access to all
Africans by 2030.
“But
the abundance of our renewable resources, the possibilities offered by new
technologies and opportunities created by new climate financing, offers
enormous possibilities,” he stated.
One of the most pressing
challenges facing Africa is widespread energy poverty. Nearly 600 million
Africans lack access to electricity, and an additional 150 million grapple with
unreliable power. Shockingly, almost a billion people have no access to clean
cooking energy. President Ruto underscored that the solution lies in adopting
an industrial energy at scale approach. This approach will not only anchor
Africa's energy demands but also serve as a catalyst for addressing energy poverty
across the continent.
The key to this
transformative shift is Africa's abundant renewable resources. With a mix of
wind, solar, geothermal, sustainable biomass, and hydropower, Africa can
potentially power all its energy needs. The continent boasts a unique advantage
with its nearly year-round sunshine, perfectly suited for industrial energy
demands. Kenya, for instance, is already making strides with 92% of its
national grid power being renewable. The audacious ambition is to achieve 100%
renewable energy by 2030 and develop a 100-gigawatt grid, entirely renewable,
by 2040.
President Ruto stressed
that transitioning to green production and consumption is not an option but an
imperative. “Global demand for
sustainable solutions is on the rise, and Africa is uniquely positioned to meet
this demand. The continent's proximity to substantial reserves of metals and
minerals essential for the global energy transition makes it an attractive
candidate to become a global hub in the green industrial supply chain,” he
hinted.
By 2025, mining
battery-critical minerals such as nickel, lithium, and cobalt is estimated to
generate around $11 billion in value. However, Africa has the potential to
quadruple this value by engaging in value-added activities like refining these
minerals into industry-grade metals. Furthermore, considering the entire value
chain for electric vehicles, including battery packs and components, Africa
could contribute to a staggering $7 trillion market value.
These figures underscore
the need for Africa to move beyond a raw-material-based approach and aim
higher. By capturing more economic value from these opportunities, Africa can
build a resilient and prosperous continent while contributing to a balanced and
stable global economy.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
