The just energy transition in Africa — game changer or pipe dream?

The notion of a “just energy transition” has become a central theme in global climate dialogue, especially when we talk about the world we want to see by 2050. In Africa, where growth, development and energy security are priorities, there is, however, still understandable scepticism about how this global idea is supposed to work, and even succeed, in the world’s fastest-growing continent.

In a just transition, decarbonisation must happen in tandem with safeguarding livelihoods and creating new economic opportunities. The reality is that more than 600 million people in Africa still lack access to reliable and affordable electricity.

Energy poverty is a major issue playing out every day across Africa, and load shedding is common, with countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria grappling daily with its impacts on growth and productivity.

Understanding the scepticism

The doubts around Africa’s just transition stem from three primary concerns. First, there’s the fear that global climate agendas are being imposed on African nations without the necessary support or flexibility.

Second, there are concerns that shifts away from fossil fuels will wipe out jobs in carbon-intensive sectors such as coal, without the necessary guarantees of new employment.

And third, the infrastructure, skills and policy ecosystems required to build green economies simply are not in place everywhere. Grid stability and resilience through modernisation are issues many countries are contending with.

These are real issues. But they are not insurmountable.

From where I sit, we’ve seen how strategic investment in Africa’s energy and industrial systems can drive not just decarbonisation, but meaningful economic revitalisation.

In South Africa, this has entailed helping modernise transmission infrastructure to strengthen grid resilience, creating local jobs in electrical engineering, skilled trades and related fields along the way. Across the continent, we’ve delivered microgrid solutions powering factories, farms and healthcare centres using renewable energy systems and advanced digital technologies to upgrade and stabilise power networks.

What inspires me most is witnessing the impact when infrastructure meets innovation and is guided by people. That’s when true transformation happens.

Take the green hydrogen feasibility work in Namibia and South Africa. These projects are enabling clean energy exports, but more importantly, they’re helping to build the foundation for new industries and value chains. We’re seeing entire workforces gain new skills, with long-term, future-facing job creation that’s globally relevant and firmly rooted in both African and international collaboration.

What jobs will the just transition bring?

A just energy transition is not just about replacing coal miners with solar panel installers. It is about building a diverse and adaptive green economy.

Here’s what green energy opportunities could look like in Africa:

• We will see more grid and energy infrastructure specialists trained to upgrade, digitalise and expand our electricity networks;


• The creation of more energy efficiency and industrial optimisation roles in sectors like mining, manufacturing and water.


• We will see a boom in green construction and retrofit engineers, to decarbonise buildings and public infrastructure;


• We’ll see a rise in localised manufacturing of clean technologies, from solar and wind components to battery systems and transformers;


• Opportunities are endless for data and AI specialists, who will manage decentralised grids and optimise energy systems; and


• We will see a proliferation of skilled trades, which include electricians, welders, maintenance technicians and other vocations that will be geared for the implementation and maintenance of clean energy systems.

This is already becoming a reality today. These opportunities are uplifting communities, building skills and making local economies globally competitive.

How we can scale our just transition ambitions

New industries and mega projects that transform economies cannot become a reality or a success without policy certainty, regulations that attract investment at scale and community buy-in. When we have the right conditions for large, long-term investments in place, we can focus on doing the work of skilling and reskilling workers for new industries, and embarking on public-private partnerships that crowd in technology, capital and capability across the continent.

South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) is a start. We know implementation will require discipline, transparency and collaboration, but it can be done, especially with the support of the private sector, which can contribute both innovation and funding.

It’s time to be brave and embrace the just transition

We must stop treating the energy transition as something to be feared or delayed. There are risks to be managed, but we have the people, technology and strategic vision in place to take the just transition forward.

Turning in the other direction will only spell disaster. If we delay, we risk losing competitiveness, missing investment windows and leaving behind millions of people who need an energy-secure future.

The next steps we need to take include doubling down on climate finance that supports adaptation and energy access for all the 1.5 billion people living in Africa.

We’re beyond the point of just trying to cut emissions. We are now in future-forward mode, designing energy systems that will serve growing industries and safer and more sustainable human development for decades to come.

Even if some parts of the world are turning away from the just transition, Africa must never – there is far too much to gain from embracing a cleaner and more inclusive energy future. DM