The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor is calling for strong, African-led reforms that will reduce the continent’s reliance on foreign support for its energy needs.
Speaking at the opening of the African Energy Technology Conference 2025 (AETC 2025) in Accra on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Minister warned that global developments such as recent tariffs on clean energy exports, supply chain bottlenecks, and shifting geopolitical tensions pose serious risks to Africa’s energy independence.
In response, he underscored the urgent need to operationalize institutions like the Africa Energy Bank. According to him, such African financial systems are essential to support indigenous innovation, fund large-scale infrastructure, and build a robust internal market free from external distortions. With these mechanisms in place, Africa can retain economic value within the continent and become more self-reliant.
Dr. Jinapor called for a shift from decades of externally driven and exploitative energy models. He advocated for a new Afrocentric strategy that focuses on value addition across the energy chain, stronger local participation, and inclusive reforms that prioritize the roles of youth and women.
He concluded by urging African nations to take full ownership of their energy futures driven by local expertise, sustainable financing, and inclusive growth to position the continent as a leader rather than a bystander in the global energy transition.
AETC 2025 brought together policymakers, investors, and technology leaders to explore pathways for accelerating Africa’s energy transition while ensuring economic sustainability. The conference was held under the theme “Innovate, Invest, Implement: Revolutionising Financing for Sustainable Energy Growth in Africa.