Sunny Side Up? The energy crisis as an opportunity for a just transition in Africa

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has propelled the issue of energy security to top of the international political agenda and made the need for a climate-friendly, crisis-proof, and affordable energy supply one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Game changer on the way to a global energy transformation might be the very continent that lags far behind in terms of energy access. Out of the 840 million people with no access to electricity worldwide, about 600 million reside in Africa. With limited or no access to energy supply, people in rural areas are particularly prone to remain trapped in poverty. However, the continent's energy poverty is not due to a lack of resources. Africa boasts vast renewable energy resources, including about 60 percent of the world's prime solar energy locations, holding the potential to cover up to 40 percent of the global solar energy demand. The International Energy Agency (IEA) even suggests that Africa is capable of covering the entire global energy demand with "green" hydrogen.

Clearly, the benefits of a successful energy transition in Africa extend beyond its local scope. Africa could become the most important energy partner for Germany and Europe. With its Green Deal the European Union aims to become climate-neutral by 2050, and the German government emphasises that a crisis-proof energy supply can only be achieved through a comprehensive energy transition. The dilemma: Europe does not have the means to produce sufficient renewable energy but relies on energy imports. Thus, the African energy transformation has an impact far beyond the continent's borders and could become a triple win for Africa, Europe, and the climate.

With international experts from politics, business, and civil society, we will discuss whether the global energy crisis presents an opportunity for a just energy transformation for African countries. Are there untapped potentials to enable a just transition? What strategies are being discussed on national and international level to overcome energy poverty in Africa and what obstacles stand in the way of a successful transformation?

On the eve of the Potsdam Africa Dialogues, the Brandenburg Dialogue "Learning with Africa" will take place on the topic of "Tailwind for the energy transition? Opportunities, obstacles, and incentives for a decentralised energy supply". More information can be found here.

The Potsdam Africa Dialogues are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.