Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has urged global and regional stakeholders to take decisive steps to tackle Africa’s deepening energy inequities.
Speaking at the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) Floating Solar PV Framework session at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on September 4, the Minister described Africa’s energy crisis as “urgent yet full of promise.”
He noted that more than 600 million Africans lack access to electricity while nearly one billion people live without clean cooking solutions.
Highlighting the stark disparities, Mr Jinapor said Africa, despite being the sunniest continent, generates only 4% of global solar power and receives less than 2% of global clean energy investment.
“Africa contributes just 6% of global energy use and emits under 3% of energy-related CO₂ emissions, yet our people remain in the dark,” he stressed.
The Minister argued that the problem went beyond infrastructure, calling it a reflection of “underinvestment, unequal access, and structural barriers” that hinder Africa’s growth.
He linked universal energy access directly to industrialisation, job creation, food security, and climate resilience.
“Universal access to energy is not merely a development goal; it is a moral imperative,” he declared.
Mr Jinapor appealed to governments, investors, and development partners to collaborate in closing Africa’s energy gap.
“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,” he concluded.