African experts have urged governments to move beyond treating the energy transition as an end in itself, arguing that it must be used as a catalyst for industrialisation, value addition and economic transformation across the continent.At the Future of Energy Conference 2026 in Accra, held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Industrial Transformation: Energy Systems for Value Addition and Competitiveness,” policy leaders stressed the need for African countries to align their energy strategies with industrial and economic development priorities. They said Africa must power production, not just consumption, using energy as a driver of industrial growth rather than simply expanding household electricity access.
FEC 2026 emphasised the need to move beyond raw resource extraction towards building domestic industries, regional value chains and local technological capabilities. The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, civil society, academia and development partners to explore how Africa’s energy systems can drive economic transformation.
The shift reflects a growing consensus that Africa’s energy resources, mineral wealth, regional markets and emerging capabilities should be leveraged to support industrialisation, deepen value creation and strengthen long-term competitiveness. By linking energy to productive sectors, African countries can turn the transition into a driver of economic transformation rather than simply a response to electricity shortages.
Professor Ekundayo Peter Mesagan of Pan-Atlantic University argued that Africa cannot simply adopt Europe’s approach to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, given the continent’s need to expand electricity access, support industrialisation and improve living standards. He maintained that environmental objectives should not be pursued in isolation from poverty reduction and economic development, particularly in countries where access to reliable and affordable energy remains a challenge.
The message underscores the dual imperative facing African economies: advancing rapid industrialisation while ensuring access to affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Renewables can drive both energy security and industrialisation, provided the transition is designed around Africa’s development needs.
The call for a shift from energy transition to economic transformation will take centre stage at the 12th African Think Tanks Summit in Cotonou, Benin, from the 28th to the 30th of October 2026, dedicated to the transition from energy access to economic transformation. The summit will bring together experts to explore how Africa can leverage its energy resources to drive broader economic change.
For African policymakers, the challenge is to design energy strategies that deliver both clean energy and economic growth. By linking energy to industrialisation, value addition and job creation, the continent can turn its energy transition into a foundation for long-term prosperity.
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