The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is pivotal in ensuring that Senegal’s energy transition is not just about deploying renewable technologies, but about fostering a people-centred sustainable transition that can serve as a model for other African countries. This effort is aligned to our coalition with ReNew2030, aiming to unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential through collaboration, knowledge sharing and inclusive implementation. With that, in February 2025, the ACF reinforced this vision by supporting two key initiatives: accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and promoting sustainable industrial practices.
Supporting an inclusive energy transition with CRADESC
On 5 February 2025, the ACF supported CRADESC, a think-tank based in Senegal, to host a workshop focused on Senegal’s energy transition. This convening brought together a diverse group of stakeholders —including government ministries, municipal authorities, community-based organisations, private sector players, and research institutions — to discuss the progress and challenges of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Senegal.
The workshop featured updates from the Ministry of Environment on the status of the JETP, providing participants with key insights into the investment plan review process, implementation timeline, and stakeholder roles. Through open dialogue, government representatives addressed pressing concerns, ensuring that all voices of impacted communities were heard. The event emphasised CRADESC’s expertise in fostering inclusive discussions that advance Senegal’s energy transition agenda.
“The project we are launching reinforces and amplifies civil society’s crucial role in JETP governance. It will train non-state actors on technical and financial aspects of the transition, strengthen consultation mechanisms, develop citizen monitoring tools, and facilitate experience sharing and collective learning,” said Dr Fatima Diallo, Director of CRADESC.
For the ACF, this initiative is crucial in ensuring that energy transitions are not only ambitious but also participatory. The partnership with CRADESC will help align stakeholders around key definitions and frameworks, establishing a shared understanding of the energy transition. The collaboration will also support research on risks and mitigation strategies specific to Senegal’s context, shaping evidence-based policies.
Additionally, the initiative will build capacity amongst a range of actors, from parliamentarians to grassroots organisations, equipping them with the technical knowledge needed to engage effectively in JETP processes. Knowledge-sharing exchanges with counterparts in South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia will offer valuable insights from their energy transition experiences.
Furthermore, the project will develop monitoring mechanisms, particularly in pilot regions such as the Saloum Islands, to ensure transparency, accountability, and the integration of community-led feedback.
“A transition is only truly just when it benefits the entire society, particularly the most vulnerable communities. This is precisely the objective of the project we are launching is to ensure JETP implementation is inclusive, equitable, and creates opportunities for all,” said Lamine Cisse, the ACF’s Senegal Country Manager.
Launching the Clean Production Centre
In the same week, on 6 February, the ACF supported the launch of the Clean Production Centre (CPP) in Dakar, implemented by BMN. The CPP aims to promote cleaner industrial practices by strengthening the capabilities of national experts, businesses, and financial institutions in sustainable development. The centre will focus on circular economy strategies sustainable finance, energy efficiency and solar energy project development.
“This project could be the first step towards our green industrialisation vision and strategy for the country. BMN brings valuable expertise in supporting the private sector transition to cleaner production systems and can deliver expertise for the financial institutions and industries in the different sectors. The partnership between BMN and the ACF represents a practical step toward implementing a green industrialisation vision while addressing both technical and financial barriers,” noted Cisse.
BMN has been a part of the Global Network of Clean Production Centres, established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), since 2014. With its extensive experience in advancing sustainable development, BMN is well-positioned to lead this transition.
Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Director of Climate Change, Ecological Transition and Green Finance at the Ministry of Environment, emphasised the importance of this initiative. “Senegal is a vulnerable country, constantly working to implement resilience solutions against the disastrous consequences of climate change. Clean industries offer us an opportunity to strengthen resilience against climate change.”
The ACF’s work in Senegal is a critical part of its broader mission to unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential, with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. By partnering with organisations, like BMN and initiatives CRADESC, as well as initiatives like ReNew2030, the ACF aims to shape a future where energy transitions are not just about technological change but setting a powerful example for the rest of the continent.
