Announcing the Empowering African Youth on the Energy Transition Webinar Series

By: Cherop Soy, SDG7 Global Youth Ambassador for Africa

I am thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative aimed at harnessing the potential of Africa's youth in driving sustainable energy solutions across the continent. It’s called the Empowering African Youth on Energy Transition Webinar Series.

With this webinar series, young people aim to showcase the importance and potential of African youth involvement in advancing SDG7. We seek to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and effective advocacy strategies for and among youth across the continent. Importantly, we will also regularly assess the impact of our efforts and adjust our strategies to maximize effectiveness.

As the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) Global Youth Ambassador for the African region, I am deeply committed to addressing the pressing challenges we face in the energy sector and ensuring that the voices of our technically abled young leaders are heard and amplified on the global stage to progress SDG7, especially within Africa.

The Need for Action

Africa is a continent of immense potential, yet it grapples with significant energy disparities. Shockingly, 43% of our population lacks access to electricity, and nearly a billion people do not have access to clean cooking facilities. Despite being home to a fifth of the world's population, Africa receives only a minuscule 3% of global energy investments. This imbalance is stark, and it underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to bridge the gap and unlock the transformative power of sustainable energy.

Seizing the Opportunity

Fortunately, Africa is resource-rich, with over 40% of key minerals essential for renewable energy technologies located within our borders. Moreover, by 2030, young Africans are projected to constitute 42% of the global youth population. This demographic advantage presents a unique opportunity for us to spearhead the energy transition, provided we are equipped with the requisite skills, resources, and support.

Webinar Themes

The new series will have three webinars, each devoted to an important energy transition topic:

• Green Skills for the Future Workforce: Mentorship, career pathways, and skill development in the energy sector – 12 June. Register now.
• Gender Mainstreaming SDG7 and the Role of Local Communities in the Just Energy Transition
  Financing SDG7 (Entrepreneurship & Investments): Unlocking finance and investments for sustainable energy ventures

Join Us in Making a Difference

Our recommendations and interventions will be presented at the SEforALL Global Forum in 2025, serving as a call to action for policy reform and transformative change. Together, we can outline a collective vision, set priorities, and demand action from policymakers to accelerate progress towards SDG7.

I invite you to join us on this journey towards a brighter, more sustainable future for Africa and beyond. Together, let's harness the power of youth to drive positive change in the energy sector and build a more equitable and resilient world for generations to come.

Please register for our first webinar on “Green Skills for the Future Workforce”.