Jinapor: Africa’s energy transition must be built on energy access, industrialisation, and sustainability

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Jinapor has emphasised that Africa’s energy transition must be built on three fundamental pillars.

These are energy access, industrialisation, and sustainability.

He said these objectives are not mutually exclusive and must advance together.

As a continent responsible for less than 4% of global emissions, yet disproportionately affected by climate change, Africa must undertake a transition that addresses both climate imperatives and the urgent need for economic development and poverty reduction, Dr Jnapor said when he participated in a panel discussion on “What Does a Just Energy Transition Mean for Africa?”

He shared his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the continent as we pursue a sustainable energy future.

During the discussion, he highlighted the importance of maintaining policy credibility to attract investment, the continued role of gas as a transition fuel, and Ghana’s commitment to accelerating renewable energy deployment.

Key initiatives include a 200MW competitive solar tender with the ambition to scale to 1,000MW, the deployment of solar-plus-storage solutions to address demand gaps, the rollout of 50,000 home solar systems, and the development of solar-powered EV charging infrastructure.

"My message was simple: Africa must pursue a just energy transition on its own terms, one that expands access to reliable energy, supports industrial growth, promotes clean cooking solutions, and delivers a sustainable future without leaving anyone behind," he said.