Experts call for Pan-African approach to energy crisis

Cape Town. Energy experts have called for greater unity among African nations as a key strategy to address the continent’s persistent energy challenges and unlock its vast renewable potential.

Africa is home to vast energy resources such as hydro, wind and solar but most of them remain underdeveloped.

Speaking during the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, which has attracted around 6,000 participants, leaders from across the energy sector underscored the need for collaboration to accelerate development and improve access to power.

The four-day conference, which kicked off on Tuesday, has brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and representatives from regional institutions to explore actionable solutions under the theme ‘Africa United’.

Former Special Envoy of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa and former Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation for Senegal, Mr Amadou Hott, said unity was critical in advancing the continent’s energy agenda.

He said most of African countries are small markets, when considered alone, while investors don't chase small deals.

“They pursue scale, stability, and simplicity. A united Africa delivers all three, but only if we align strategy with action,” he said.

“Our regional power pools prove what's possible. They are already building blocks of our Continental master plan for a single electricity market,” said Mr Hott.

Some of the power pool projects include the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) which he said leads the way. The project allows power to flow seamlessly from Mozambique to South Africa, from Zambia to Botswana, and from Zimbabwe to Namibia.

In the West Africa, the WAPP shows tremendous progress. Nigeria sells power to Niger and Benin. Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire supply Burkina Faso. Senegal powers The Gambia. Guinea sells to Senegal.

The East African Power Pool (EAPP) also makes significant strides. Ethiopian electricity lights the streets of Mombasa, powers Djibouti's ports, and reaches homes in Sudan. He urged African governments to tap into domestic capital markets, pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds to mobilise resources for energy investments.

Mr Hott also encouraged energy investors to ease financing conditions and called on governments to increase energy budgets and adjust tariffs to make the sector more attractive for investment.

“We must expand local currency financing to slash exchange rate risks that drive up costs. We must structure infrastructure deals in local currency where revenues are also in local currency. We must strengthen domestic capital markets. Crowd in local institutional investors. This isn't just prudent – it's essential for sustainable and resilient energy access,” he said.

The forum aims to amplify Africa’s energy ambitions on the global stage, especially ahead of the upcoming G20 meetings, which South Africa will host later this year.

South Africa’s Minister for Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, emphasised that regional initiatives, such as infrastructure funds and cross-border power pools, are crucial to enhancing electricity connectivity and boosting intra-African trade.

He cited the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector project as a promising example of regional cooperation that could help bolster energy security.

“With our vast resources, Africa is at the heart of the future of global energy,” said Dr Ramokgopa.

“We are not gathered here for ceremony or rhetoric, but for results. If the right investments are mobilised and meaningful reforms implemented, Africa can become a global energy hub,” he added.

He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among African Union (AU) member states, while cautioning that the continent must pursue an energy transition that reflects its unique social and economic context.

AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Ms Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, echoed the call for regional integration to accelerate development.

“The continent must act collectively to address energy and broader developmental challenges,” she said, pledging to work closely with member states to foster a unified approach to energy transition.