Why Africa must Accelerate Its Clean Energy Adoption Now

Socio-Economic Development

There is a growing energy need in Africa, our population is spiking through the roof everyday with a current population of over 1.5 billion and a projected population of 2 billion by 2050 and 3.9 billion by 2100 according to the World Economic Forum and World Population Review. Population increase exerts pressure on energy infrastructure and supply which is needed to support economic growth and social welfare of the growing population. Also, there is a rising energy deficiency in Africa with 600 million people lacking access to electricity. These are pressing concerns that a strategic renewable energy transition can address sustainably while Africa weans itself from the dependency of fossil fuels.?

There is massive unemployment in Africa, the International labour Organization puts unemployment in Sub Saharan Africa at 5.97% in 2023. The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that, unless stronger action is taken now, 100 million young Africans will be unemployed in 2030. Of all the benefits associated with the adoption of sustainable energy, creation of jobs is one. According to Obi and Callister. Direct employment opportunities will arise from roles related to installation, operation and maintenance of renewable energy systems requiring technical skills and training. Africa development bank once noted that renewable energy has the potential to provide electricity to over 600 millions Africans currently deprived of it, provide jobs and stimulate industrialization. Finally on this note, studies show that renewable energy sectors create up to three times more jobs per dollar invested compared to fossil fuels.?

Energy Access and security?

Africa is the world’s most energy deficient continent according to the World’s Energy Agency, 43% of its population lacks access to electricity according to the International Energy Agency and 98% of this energy deprived population lives in Sub Saharan Africa which is consequently hurting the region’s socio economic development. These energy gaps can be closed by investment in renewable technologies. For example, off grid, solar solutions already provided 55% of the new connections in sub saharan Africa between 2020 to 2022. There is also the advantage of diversification that renewable energy offers. Africa can leverage its LPG, solar, windpower, hydropower and other renewable energy potentials, this increases the energy mix, reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and enhances energy security.??

Vulnerability is a big word on the African continent as the continent is dependent on fossil fuel for its energy generation. This explains the frequent price fluctuations as a result of global price fluctuations. We can enhance our energy security if we invest in local renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind and LPG that are currently underutilised. Doing this could lead to 6.4% higher GDP, 3.5% more economy-wide jobs, and a 25.4% higher welfare index throughout the outlook period of 2020 to 2050 according to IRENA modelling.?

Further effects include increased exposure to the risk of stranded assets which leads to the destruction of its growing manufacturing potential as a result of shifting energy approaches..?

Environmental sustainability.

Between 2013 and 2022, natural disasters claimed over 100,000 lives across the continent, with an additional 131 million people affected. Cyclone Freddy's impact in 2023, especially in Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius, led to close to 1,500 fatalities, extensive infrastructure damage, and cholera epidemics according to AfDP

Climate change disasters have had a harsh impact on Africans and Africa is home to some of the most vulnerable people in the world, displaced by climate change disasters. Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world with temperature increasing slightly than the rest of the world. The World Meteorological Organization says it is a disproportionate burden with huge adaptation costs.? Adoption of clean energy will help to reduce some of this greenhouse gas emissions and also align the global efforts towards a net zero emission targets.??

Economic Resilience?

Africa is on a steady path of carving its own sustainable future. Our steady growth and trajectory is defying global trends as the second fastest growing region in the world with 11 of its countries poised to be among the 20 fastest growing economies in the world by 2024 according to GEAP. But it cannot achieve long term economic stability and resilience against market fluctuations without diversifying its economy.?

Energy diversification, especially through the development of renewable energy resources is an essential strategy and a precursor for decarbonization, clean energy transition, and energy security, Sterling (2013)

The African continent has more than 45% of the global renewable resources, which are largely untapped and technically sufficient to power domestic and international needs.One of the ways Africa can develop economic resilience across different sectors is the development of local supply chains for renewable technologies?

Accelerating the use of renewable energy in Africa is a holistic plan for socio-economic upliftment as well as an environmental need. Africa can accomplish sustainable development goals, raise living standards, provide employment, and establish resilient economies that can weather future difficulties by utilizing its abundant renewable resources. In Africa, Homefort Energy is leveraging technology in increasing clean energy adoption with their efficient Gasbot, SolarBot and App that helps Nigerians to optimize their energy use and increase accessibility to clean energy which in turn expedite its adoption.