THE FOCUS IN AFRICA ISSUE | 2021
ENERGY
– an African perspective The world is collectively experiencing a transition from fossil-based energy systems – such as coal, natural gas and oil – to renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, solar and wind. The case is no different for the African continent. By Jovita Nsoh*
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uring the last decade, African countries have started increasing renewable energy penetration into their supply mix. The most adopted renewable energy systems are solar, wind and geothermal, with countries such as Kenya, Morocco and Rwanda taking the lead in transition. The current energy transition is based on multiple factors, including reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and improving Africa’s power supply. According to NJ Ayuk, executive chairman at the African Energy Chamber, the greatest opportunity in Africa lies in providing its people with electricity. Ayuk further posits that energy transitions present the biggest investment opportunity in Africa, since these projects will include infrastructure construction and minerals like rare earth elements, cobalt, nickel, lithium and more. He also highlights that Africa is dealing with climate change, and these materials are going to become increasingly important in the future. This article describes some the immediate and nonimmediate implications of energy transitions for the African continent. A worldwide revolutionary transition The world is undergoing a revolutionary transition from high-carbon, fossil-fuel-based energy systems to low-carbon energy systems. At the heart of this massive transition is the goal to reduce CO2 emissions as a measure of limiting climate change1. The underlying
notion is that the earth’s climate has been changing for the worse, primarily due to human activity. Significant changes include rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, melting ice, rising sea waters and more drought. Transitioning away from the current energy model to a more sustainable approach Among the many hats he wears, Jovita is a member of the is widely perceived as Institute of Electrical and Electronics the ultimate solution to Engineers (IEEE) the problem. By switching to lowcarbon models, countries can minimise their carbon footprint while reducing the possibility of adverse weather events. As the world slowly embraces transitions and nations join the collective action of switching to low-carbon energy sources, African countries slowly join the transitions through energy initiatives. African nations have shown commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate change and active efforts in deploying energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies2. Transition efforts that are extensively visible in other parts of the globe, including North America and Europe, are also
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