Africa’s future hinges on a stable, affordable power supply. Yet 600 million people on the continent remain without electricity. This energy gap stifles economic progress, fuels poverty, and heightens the climate crisis.
A section of African leaders who spoke to ACI want a rapid expansion of clean energy projects, from shared water basins to gas pipelines. But political and diplomatic rifts threaten to derail this crucial mission. The leaders insisted that cooperation is key. “African countries must resolve political disputes if they want to exploit hydropower, solar fields, and gas deposits across borders,” said Gosaye Mengistie, a senior energy advisor to Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy.
He warned that tensions over shared resources undermine new infrastructure. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) exemplifies these conflicts. With a planned capacity of 6,000 megawatts, it holds promise for cheaper, cleaner power in East Africa.
But it has stirred a long-standing dispute with Egypt and Sudan over water flows downstream. According to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the project is “a path to common prosperity,” but negotiations with Egypt have stalled.
Ethiopia wants to fill the dam at a pace that suits its electrification goals. Egypt fears that fast filling will reduce the Nile’s flow and imperil farming. “If shared rivers become obstacles, no one benefits,” Mengistie said.
He explained the need for early dialogue and joint planning. His position similar to reports on the official website of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which indicates that cross-border hydropower can slash electricity costs across regions if managed well. Ghana and Togo are also stuck in a hydropower standoff. Ghana has an unfinished dam site that crosses into Togo’s territory.
The project remains dormant because both sides fear it could flood Togolese communities.
“We must ensure that Togo also gains economic benefits,” said Seth Agbeve Mahu, Director of Renewable Energy at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy. He noted that any unilateral development would “block progress” and spark political friction. He added, “We can’t just flood villages and leave people with no compensation. We must share benefits as well as risks.” Mahu said a joint venture, with both governments co-owning the hydropower station, could ensure fair distribution of revenue and avoid conflict.
While many African countries have immense potential in hydropower, solar, and natural gas, few can exploit these assets alone. Regional projects offer economies of scale and cheap power. But fragile borders and overlapping claims create obstacles. “We have the Grand Renaissance Dam,” Mahu said, “but we also have tensions over cross-border pipelines and energy trade.”
He believes institutions like the African Union and regional blocks such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should intervene early. Without strong mediation, even simple power exchange agreements can unravel. IRENA, explains Africa’s untapped renewable capacity. It estimates that Africa could meet nearly a quarter of the world’s energy needs by 2050 through renewables alone. Yet political roadblocks slow progress.
It further indicates that joint planning can produce reliable baseload from hydropower while solar handles daytime peaks and gas stations fill supply gaps at night. “Instead of fighting over shared water or gas fields, let’s pool resources,” urged Dr. Kandeh Yumkellah, Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy & Food Security.
“More than 600 million Africans still lack electricity. If we trade more energy, Africa can be self-sufficient.”
Namibia’s Mines and Energy Minister, Thomas Alweendo, sees cross-border cooperation as both a blessing and a vulnerability. His country has abundant solar and wind resources, but still imports power when local output is low. “Any tension in the region can affect these agreements,” he said. He also warned that higher political risk drives up financing costs.
Funding dilemmas and foreign influence
Access to capital remains a major obstacle. Many African governments carry heavy debt burdens, and private investors hesitate to pour money into regions with unclear policies or simmering disputes. “When there is uncertainty, big companies hold back,” Alweendo said. “They don’t want to risk billions when borders or legal frameworks are unsettled.”
Across Africa, debates over foreign financing have grown louder. At the 15th Assembly of IRENA, several ministers called for a revamp of funding models. The minsters attending the assembly urged a delicate balance: Africa still needs external loans and technology, but without ceding its long-term energy agenda.
Yumkellah explained that Africa’s borrowing must fuel “productive investments, especially in energy,” instead of creating more debt distress. He mentioned Sierra Leone’s new gas power plant, financed by the United States, and an 80-megawatt solar facility supported by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC). He said these projects need to accelerate.
Namibia faces similar challenges.“Policies are improving, but capital still hesitates,” Alweendo observed. “Private investors want guarantees.Most African governments cannot provide them alone.” He urged multilateral institutions like the World Bank to offer more blended finance solutions. “Africa has capital,” Mengistie said, referencing Ethiopia’s local bond campaign for the GERD. He believes that scaling up local markets and manufacturing can reduce dependence on costly external loans. “If an inverter or key component fails, we wait months for foreign shipments,” he said.“Local manufacturing is crucial for reliability. It also creates jobs.”
Calls for stronger cooperation
Africa’s power sector is fragmented. Grid interconnections are sparse. This fragmentation drives up costs and leaves many communities in the dark.
A 2023 report on the IRENA shows that 1.5 trillion US dollars in annual renewable energy investment worldwide is necessary to meet global climate targets by 2030. Africa’s share of this sum remains disproportionately small.
Ministers from Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Ghana strongly advocate for a unified approach. They want stronger regional grids, simplified cross-border trade, and updated dispute-resolution mechanisms. Mahu said, “A robust, interconnected grid can let countries share resources. Some have abundant hydro, others have gas or solar fields. Working together reduces costs and maximizes power availability.”
He also believes transparent procurement is key.Many countries have paid steep prices for emergency power deals with private generators.
He called for open tenders that lower tariffs and ensure state utilities stay solvent.
Kenya’s big electrification push
East Africa’s largest economy, Kenya, offers a case study in rapid energy expansion—and the hurdles that come with it.
The Kenyan Ministry of Energy wants to connect one million new homes by 2026, at a cost of nearly $400 million. Principal Secretary for Energy, Alex Wachira, revealed. Currently, only 33 percent of Kenyans have reliable electricity. More than two-thirds rely on biomass for cooking. Wachira explained that solar and wind capacity, now at 645 megawatts, remain intermittent. “Sometimes you have the wind and solar resources, sometimes you don’t,” he said.
A delicate balance
In every region, Alweendo explained that homegrown solutions work best when supported by fair partnerships. “Foreign help is welcome,” Alweendo said, “but Africans must set the vision and own the process.” IRENA’s Director-General, Francesco La Camera, believes Africa could be a renewable energy powerhouse if it secures the right mix of funding, policy reforms, and cross-border coordination. He called for “an African Renewable Energy Alliance” that builds on common interests rather than old rivalries.
For now, ministers strive to close the gap that leaves 600 million Africans in the dark. Whether they succeed depends on how well they manage shared water basins, energy corridors, and the intricate politics of regional integration.
