Assessing how Africa will benefit from global energy transition:  a pathway to NetZero 2050

Assessing how Africa will benefit from global energy transition:  a pathway to NetZero 2050

Matsilo Nkabane

Climate change is one of the profound challenges that face the world. Even though it contributes to less than two percent of the global greenhouse gas transmissions, the African continent remains one of the most vulnerable parts of the world highly affected by climate change.

  Climate change exacerbates poverty, food insecurity, severe weather events, rising sea levels and drought. According to research reports, there are four climate change indicators which are: greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification.

Experts on climate change recommend the reduction of greenhouse gases generated from the fossil fuels which will reduce climate change.

In today’s world global countries are transitioning to clean energy however some regions like Africa are still faced with challenges of clean energy transitions. The clean energy transition presents both opportunities and challenges for global investors however in Africa it is faced with significant challenges such as infrastructure, lack of electricity, high technological costs, policy and institutional challenges that hinder the progress of clean energy.

Millions of Africans are still faced with lack of electricity in their households and still rely on bio-degradable mass. Most African countries are faced with low income economies with limited financial resources in the private sector funding.

The adoption of clean energy in Africa will drive the sustainable development goal 7- which aims for the universal access to affordable, reliable, clean and modern energy.  It will also lead the continent towards fulfilling the Paris agreement and drive towards economic growth.  

Clean energy is expected to improve the live hoods of Africans by 2030. It is imperative that African countries prioritize clean energy as it will bolster economic growth and reduce reliance on fossil fuels which release CO2 in the atmosphere.

A report by Irena report, states that global reduction in Co2 emission in line with the Paris Agreement could have significant positive impact on Gross domestic product through job creation, reduced climate impacts, creation of new industries and improved public health. Several African countries like Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Ghana are showing a commitment in energy transition efforts in the development of solar energy markets.

Energy transitions will play a vital role in in boosting the demand of new products which will improve, innovation and technologies by creating jobs for Africa and reduce brain drain to Europe exacerbated by lack of employment and weak economies experienced by most African countries. The African Development Bank estimates that each year more than 10 million youth enter the workforce in Africa yet only 3 million new jobs are currently created.

Africa is rich in renewable energy resources including strong winds, sunlight, and geothermal energy. According to a report by Irena, the energy transition has the potential to create more than 9 million additional jobs between 2019 and 2030 which is expected to boost employment in the energy sector. Many jobs in the renewable sector are in solar, hydropower, bio-energy and wind.

Clean energy in reducing carbon- the global shift from fossil fuels towards renewable energy will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere by reducing a strong reduction in global demand for oil and natural gases.

For Clean energy transition to be sustainable, it needs to be governed by good governance build on transparency, accountability and citizen participation. Further, to achieve progress and prosperity, there must be reduced inequalities in the society so that all members of the society benefit from clean energy.

Investing in clean energy can significantly increase economic opportunities for Africa through job creation. Africa can leverage its skills and resources therefore there is need for revising of the education policies to open up new opportunities in African countries by transferring skills from skilled labour from fossil fuel industries to thee renewable energy sector.

There must be a significant investment in infrastructure and technologies. Furthermore, avoiding the cutting down of trees is vital for absorbing the excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Amazon forest and the Congo basin forests account for the largest forests that help absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere therefore they should be preserved to avoid further negative impacts of climate change.

There must be change in policies through the promotion of educational training policies and good governance on energy transitions. Without good governance and clear policy frameworks, it will become difficult for countries to effectively manage financial resources and capacities to implement renewable transitions.

Governments of various African countries need to adopt robust legal frameworks that are supportive for investments in renewable energy by adopting laws and policies that are designed to promote renewable energy and sustainable development goals.

Matsilo Nkabane : M.A in Governance and Regional Integration. Researcher in Political Science: Corporate Governance, Gender, Climate Action, media and Artificial intelligence, African History, Democracy. Matsilo Nkabane is also LESOTHO Correspondent, Mahabahu

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