Africa must prioritise sustainability in its energy sector if it is to drive inclusive growth and secure a stronger position in the global economy, Ghana’s Energy and Green Transition Minister, Hon, John Abu Jinapor has said.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Future of Energy Conference (FEC) in Accra on August 26, Hon, Jinapor urged governments and partners to mobilize sustainable financing mechanisms to accelerate the continent’s energy transition.
The two-day conference, organised by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), brings together leaders from government, industry, academia, civil society, and development institutions to explore solutions under the theme, “Financing Africa’s Energy Future: Unlocking Investments for Energy Access and Economic Transformation.”
Jinapor outlined financing tools such as bond markets, carbon trading, and green funds, while pointing to Ghana’s Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund as a model to attract capital for low-carbon infrastructure.
He stressed that reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is essential for industrialisation, job creation, and digital transformation, warning that energy poverty continues to trap millions in inequality.
The minister also called for a “just transition,” noting that Africa’s energy shift must not undermine affordability, jobs, or economic competitiveness.
He emphasised that collaboration is crucial—governments must provide policy direction, the private sector must deliver innovation and investment, and multilateral partners must help de-risk projects.
Delivering the keynote address, Nigerian presidential advisor Rukaiya El-Rufai said Africa must move beyond extractive economic models and instead leverage its natural resources to secure clean, affordable, and resilient energy.
She praised ACEP’s focus on accountability and innovation, insisting that Africa’s energy future must deliver not only economic growth but also meaningful poverty reduction.
Together, the discussions highlighted that the continent’s development, competitiveness, and resilience depend on a bold, sustainable energy transformation.