During the Future of Energy Conference 2025 held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, urged governments, private investors, and development partners to significantly increase investments in Africa’s energy sector. He emphasized that energy access is crucial for industrialization, digital transformation, and social development, noting the urgent need for sustainable and affordable energy in a continent where over 600 million people lack electricity.
Jinapor outlined Ghana’s commitment to creating a sustainable energy future through various initiatives, including an Energy Transition Framework aimed at decarbonizing the power and petroleum sectors, establishing a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund, and expanding solar and mini-grid projects in underserved areas. He also mentioned plans for a Ghana Nuclear Power Programme to provide stable base-load energy and highlighted the importance of participating in the West African Power Pool to enhance regional energy resilience.
The minister called for innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds and blended finance to attract private investments and urged governments to provide regulatory certainty to de-risk projects. He highlighted the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote local manufacturing of clean energy technologies.
Jinapor concluded by challenging attendees to commit to making Africa’s energy systems sustainable and inclusive, which would uplift millions from poverty and strengthen Africa’s role in the global energy transition. The conference gathered a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss strategies for unlocking investments that will drive Africa’s economic transformation and achieve universal energy access.