African leaders’ call to meet energy needs

At the Africa Energy Forum 2025 which opened at Cape Town in South Africa, there was a sense of urgency as ministers from many of the countries talked of the need to build infrastructure, integrate the grid and go for renewable energy to reach power to 600 million on the continent who do not have access to it.

South Africa’s Minister for Electricity Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa called out saying, “Africa can no longer be seen as a passive recipient of imported solutions. We have the natural resources. The human capital, and the ambition to drive our own energy transition.” African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina spelled the magnitude of the energy challenge that Africa faces. He said, “Africa requires $90 billion in annual energy investment through 2030. This is achievable if the right partnerships, de-risk investment, and focus on sustainable, inclusive models.” By the end of June 17, EnergyNet managing director Simon Gosling, said, “This forum is not about promises – it’s about delivery. Africa stands at a historic crossroads. What we decide to do together in the days ahead will shape our energy future for generations.” The meetings will continue to achieve their goal.

For the year and more, African leaders have been speaking clearly, loudly and even differently from other parts of the world. The African governments and leaders are determined to chart an independent path for the African continent. They have realized that depending on the advanced economies of Europe, America and Asia will not help Africa to solve its problems. The African leaders are now thinking differently and loudly. They realize that Africa has to build its own infrastructure, and that it has to be done through cooperation among different African countries, cutting across national and regional boundaries. It is this emphasis on pan-African approach that strikes the perfect, positive note.

Given the political volatility prevailing in many parts of Africa, it might seem unrealistic to talk about pan-African approach. But the truth of the matter is that no country, including the relatively well-off and politically strong South Africa, cannot hope to achieve the economic goals that only a united Africa can hope to achieve. The experiment of European Union (EU) seemed a vague dream when it set out on a small scale in 1956, but it had been built brick by brick by sensible European leaders who were wise enough to realise that national rivalries are of not much use in the face of a modern economy. It will be argued and rightly too that to build something akin to the European Union in Africa would take decades.

But it is an important fact that some of the African leaders are showing the statesmanship needed to build something for the future. It is going to be a hard struggle for Africa and its leaders. But what will work for them is the fact that their eyes are set on the common goal of strengthening Africa on the energy front. What is important is the recognition of the goal that Africa’s needs can be met only at the continental level.

Africa is resource rich continent, and its leaders have recognized that European powers, and now the new market agent of Asia, China, have looked to Africa to tap the natural resources which the African people have not tapped for themselves. They now seem to recognize the fact they Africans will have to help themselves. Can the Africans raise the huge amounts they need to build the infrastructure? They have to because they have no option. African leaders have accepted the fact that they need to plan and act together.