South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has urged African leaders to position the continent at the forefront of the global energy transition. Speaking at the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Cape Town, the minister emphasised that energy has become a geopolitical force, no longer just a technical or economic input, but a key driver of global trade, diplomacy, and leadership.
Highlighting Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and rich endowment of critical minerals, Dr. Ramokgopa said the continent sits at the centre of a reimagined energy future, one that prioritises access, affordability, security, and resilience. He called for African nations to act with clarity, coherence, and collective ambition, grounded in their sovereign development priorities while embracing multilateralism and shared global responsibilities.
Dr. Ramokgopa pointed to chronic power shortages as a major constraint to industrialisation, with energy deficits costing some African economies up to 24% of GDP. He cited fragmented infrastructure and high capital costs as structural barriers to inclusive growth and job creation. However, he stressed that Africa’s opportunity is equally significant.
With energy demand across the continent expected to triple by 2040 and renewable energy technologies becoming more affordable, Africa has a unique window to leverage its resources, not just to electrify homes, but to power industrial growth. The minister noted that sectors such as fertiliser production, green steel, cement, hydrogen, and mineral beneficiation could thrive with the right investments and reforms.