The International Solar Alliance (ISA), an intergovernmental action group on renewable energy deployment, and officials of African countries met in Ghana on Monday to discuss new pathways to fast-track solar energy deployment to boost Africa’s agenda for universal access to energy.
During the seventh meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Africa, which saw 19 ministers from African countries and representatives from 39 other countries attending in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, participants called for a new epoch of transformative action in Africa’s solar transition and sustainable energy development.
Chairman of the seventh meeting and Ghana’s Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor pledged Ghana’s resolve to working closely with all member states to ensure that their energy aspirations translate into financed projects on the ground.
“Africa represents 17 percent of the world’s population, yet consumes just 4.0 percent of the world’s energy. Bridging this gap is our collective opportunity: transforming pipeline projects into bankable ones, providing low-risk premiums, and attracting greater private capital.” Jinapor added
He emphasized that Africa’s energy transition must transcend megawatts. “It must empower our communities, preserve our resources, and unlock prosperity for all.”
“I urge governments, development partners, investors, private sector actors, and our communities to unite in scaling solutions across Africa. With bold vision and collective resolve, we can transition from energy poverty to energy prosperity, forging a brighter, greener, and more resilient future for all,” the Ghanaian minister stated.
Damilola Ogunbiyi, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Renewable Energy, highlighted the need for private sector participation in financing solar energy deployment across Africa.
“Africa must invest in Africa. Sovereign wealth institutes, pension funds, and local banks hold the capital to fund distributed renewable energy projects. Governments must streamline licenses and unlock tariffs to scale private sector participation,” she said.
Ghana and Seychelles serve as vice presidents in the African Region for the treaty-based intergovernmental action group on solar energy deployment, comprising more than 120 signatory countries.
“ISA’s strategy, ‘Moving from Ambition to Action,’ aims to establish implementation partnerships, innovate financing methods, and strengthen local capacities. The ISA strategy of implementation partnership is aligned with M300 enabling private sector ecosystem in countries. Our goal is to empower countries to develop their own solutions,” Ashish Khanna, ISA’s Director-General, noted.
He emphasised that access to energy is a fundamental human right. He pointed out the significant gap in clean energy investment in Africa compared to global standards.