African leaders discuss renewable energy potential at investment forum in Nairobi

African ministers and other partners have pushed for an accelerated transition to renewable energy.

Speaking at an investment forum in Nairobi, Kenya, the African leaders cited many benefits of the transition to renewable energy.

The forum organised by countries under the accelerated partnership for renewables in Africa (APRA) attracted ministers, investors, developers, and financial institutions.

The forum was to foster open dialogue, further the development of a robust project pipeline and mobilise large-scale investments to accelerate the energy transition.

It was also to support the development of green industries within APRA countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.

In a statement on Monday, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) said the forum marked a significant milestone in implementing the Nairobi declaration adopted at the 2023 Africa climate summit and the call to boost the continent’s renewable capacity to 300 GW by 2030.

The statement added that the forum also intended to contribute to the COP28 goal to triple global renewable power by the end of the decade.

IRENA said the partnership with APRA countries “offers unique opportunities to fulfill obligations, deliver on pledges made before, and support global and local ambitions for climate action”.

‘A MATTER OF EQUALITY, FAIRNESS AND INCLUSION’

Francesco La Camera, the IRENA director general, said Africa has great renewable energy potential and should be supported to effectively navigate the energy transition and maximise benefits.

La Camera said the success of global climate objectives is intrinsically linked to Africa realising its vast renewable energy potential.

He added that the transition is not only a matter of climate change but also a matter of “equality, fairness, and inclusion”.

“APRA sets a new benchmark for international cooperation, ensuring that support from the Global North for Africa’s energy transition fully complements the continent’s own priorities,” La Camera said.

“The partnership’s inaugural investment forum in Nairobi marks a milestone in this alignment, uniting key stakeholders to mobilise finance and turn priorities into tangible outcomes.”

Also speaking, Opiyo Wandayi, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for petroleum and energy, said Africa’s renewable energy potential can “fuel significant gains in GDP, employment, and human welfare” as well as “improve inclusive economic growth and livelihoods across the continent”.

Joseph Nganga, the vice-president of GEAPP for Africa, said the alliance would lead to economic growth, job creation, and climate resilience in Africa.

“By aligning with the efforts of the World Bank, African Development Bank, and partners like GEAPP, the Rockefeller Foundation, and SEforAll, we are committed to connecting 300 million unelectrified Africans to clean, affordable power by 2030—fuelling economic growth, job creation, and climate resilience,” Nganga said.

“APRA serves as a vital platform, uniting investors, governments, and project developers to create an ecosystem that fast-tracks low-carbon electrification across the continent.”