Energy Transition Plans and other initiatives to unlock finance for African countries

Opinion

During the last two decades, citizens in western countries have been pushing for new green policies, leading to the development of renewable energies, thus triggering unprecedented changes in the economic development: from new, high added-value jobs to more efficient industries and electric cars, the impact of such shift has affected the life of millions.  

However, most of those investments have been focused on the West, setting aside many other countries in their initial, or mid-stages of their transformational changes. Given that reducing carbon emissions is actually a goal at a global scale, it does not seem smart to disregard those countries, particularly when many economic and demographic indicators show that they will play a key role in the incoming decades. Investors, governments, and organizations are realizing that it is needed to show a higher commitment in terms of financial and economic support to these countries.  

Indeed, this matter has been addressed on the Energy Day at COP27, during a gathering where several African ministers called for the necessary investments to finance critical energy infrastructure needed for economic and social development across the continent. Rich countries must show greater financial commitment, as Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy said: “Over the last two decades, less than two percent of global investment in renewables has gone to Africa, which makes it impossible for countries to achieve their energy access and net-zero targets. Much more finance for Africa is needed from the international community,” 

“Over the last two decades, less than two percent of global investment in renewables has gone to Africa, which makes it impossible for countries to achieve their energy access and net-zero targets. Much more finance for Africa is needed from the international community.” Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy

Energy Transition Plans 

At the same time, financial aid does not come without having set first a proper plan, adequate structure and measurable terms and objectives. Investors and development institutions nowadays require that countries asking for funds, have developed priorly solid frameworks to align technology, resources, and governance. In fact, African countries are taking proactive measures to engage with investors and development institutions to catalyze investment in their energy systems. With the help of SEForAll and its partners, Ghana and Nigeria are among a group of countries that have taken the lead and developed such tools, the Energy Transition Plans, which outline the technologies and support needed to achieve universal energy access and net-zero emissions by the mid-century.   

”Ghana is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and is committed to its nationally determined target to address the adverse impact of climate change and increase access to energy for socio-economic development,” said Hon. Dr. Matthew Opuku Prempeh, Minister of Energy, Republic of Ghana.

The framework was featured at an event during the first week of COP27, where Sustainable Energy for All and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that the two organizations will work with Ghana’s government on the execution of its transition framework. Meanwhile, in an Energy Day session, the Government of Nigeria highlighted how its existing Energy Transition Plan has already helped the country secure USD 1.5 billion from the World Bank.   

Africa Just and Affordable Energy Transition Initiative  

Addittionally to the Transition Plans, there are other initiatives recently started in Africa. Such is the case of the Just and Affordable Energy Transition Initiative, recently announced by the Egypt COP27 Presidency. Working with partners like SEforALL, this initiative has three main objectives to achieve by 2027: securing access to affordable energy for at least 300 million Africans, transitioning 300 million Africans to clean cooking, and increasing the share of renewable energy by 25 percent by 2027. 

Just and Affordable Energy Transition Initiative - Target Goals at 2027

300 m

At least 300 million Africans with access to affordable energy

300 m

Africans using clean cooking,

25%

Share increase of renewable energy

Africa-Europe Cooperation

Building on the Africa Just and Affordable Energy Transition Initiative, SEforALL and the Africa-Europe Foundation have organized a Ministerial Roundtable that allows African ministers to engage the international community for collaboration and support on African countries’ energy goals.  

 

The cooperation between African and European governments is also being enhanced. SEforALL and the Africa-Europe Foundation organized a Ministerial Roundtable that allowed African ministers to engage the international community for collaboration and support on African countries’ energy goals.  

Leaders from Africa and Europe convene to discuss partnerships and financing opportunities for sustainable energy cooperation. The roundtable included ministers and senior representatives from Ghana, Senegal, Uganda, Malawi, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the European Commission, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands and the UAE’s COP28 Presidency.    

The roundtable built on discussions first held at the SEforALL Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, where African ministers took initial steps in defining their requirements for a just and equitable energy transition. Countries then agreed on seven transformative actions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 in Africa, outlining them in the Kigali Communique. 

Africa Carbon Markets Initiative

Another major initiative launched at COP27 to encourage private finance for African energy development is the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI). Its aim is to dramatically expand Africa’s participation in voluntary carbon markets, which involve international buyers – usually corporations – purchasing carbon credits to offset their own emissions, thereby financing clean energy projects.  

“The current scale of financing available for Africa’s energy transition is nowhere close to what is required. Achieving the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative targets will provide much-needed financing that will be transformative for the continent,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.  

ACMI announced a bold ambition to reach 300 million credits produced annually by 2030 across the continent. This level of production would unlock USD 6 billion in income and support 30 million jobs. By 2050, ACMI is targeting over 1.5 billion credits produced annually in Africa, leveraging over USD 120 billion and supporting over 110 million jobs.  

ACMI’s principal goals by 2030

300 m

Carbon credits produced annually by 2030 in Africa

6 bn $

Unlock 6 billion in revenue

30 m

Support 30 million jobs

SDG7 Pavilion

SEforALL and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet are hosting the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) Pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP27 until 17 November. The SDG7 Pavilion is the main hub at COP for discussing and showcasing how to unite global efforts on energy, climate and development.  

All open-door sessions at the Pavilion are also being streamed online here.