Energy Access and Transitions

The Energy Access and Just Transitions Programme aims to accelerate and scale clean energy technologies to achieve energy security in Africa and leverage associated industrialisation benefits at a country and regional level.
green trees next to a field full of solar panels viewed from above

Accelerate and Scale Clean Energy Technologies

Approximately 600 million or 45% of Africans are without electricity, while a significantly large population lack access to affordable and reliable energy. This impedes the continent’s path towards inclusive growth and industrial development. Addressing the energy access deficit through sustainable and affordable energy technologies is therefore critical for building socio-economic and climate resilience, avoiding future emissions and delivering on countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While Africa is set to emerge as a key driver of energy demand growth, the extent to which the region can address its energy needs and drive socio-economic and environmental sustainability will depend on how effectively countries utilise their vast energy resources (both renewable and non-renewable).

Energy Access and Just Transitions Portfolios

Informed by this context, the ACF’s Energy Access and Just Transitions Programme has four main portfolios― Coal, Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen. While each portfolio targets specific issues, they collectively talk to a broader objective―unlocking alternative energy pathways for Africa through clean technologies. These portfolios are considered through the lens of three cross-cutting themes―just transitions, industrialisation, sustainable finance, trade and geopolitics.

Our Approach to Energy Transitions and Access

We approach our Energy Transitions and Access work at different levels: establishing country platforms to deliver national energy transition pathways; regional strategies to drive scale in renewable energy and green hydrogen through clean energy corridors; continent-wide mobilisation to shape narratives around clean energy alternatives and global strategies to scale finance.

Our programme activities:

Evidence-based narrative building:

Supporting localised data and driving
evidence-based narratives around socio-economic benefits of clean energy;
supporting strategy development and coordination; delivering actionable
implementation plans.

Diplomacy:

Providing targeted technical and institutional support to governments,
national and regional bodies.

Mobilisation and advocacy:

Coordinating multiple actors, including civil society
organisations, around clean energy opportunities and just transitions.

Coordinating philanthropic network:

Supporting the development of coordinated
strategies by the philanthropic community.

Related Research

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