Africa stands at a decisive crossroads in the evolution of its energy sector. The continent now faces persistent energy shortages, aging infrastructure, and growing demand due to rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, heavy wars and sanctions from developed nations, Yet, embedded in these challenges is a profound opportunity to reimagine, rebuild, and revolutionize Africa's energy future.
The Tanzania Declaration of 2025 aimed to address access to Clean and affordable energy to over 300 million African by 2030, however a new threat has arrived at our entrance. Submarines and Warships are playing cat and mouse on the edges of Africa, The Iran war has become a global challenge, oil and Gas have become the new gold. Is Africa safe? The answer is a simple no! What can Africa do under these circumstances? Yes Africa has been an over dependent constituency on the global market. Africa never invested in systems and structures which could defend herself from this global threat. The continent should re-engage to co- create a bold vision for sustainable energy. Agenda 2063 is too far for Africa.
Actionable roadmap built by all 54 nations within 6 months
I propose an actionable roadmap built by all 54 African countries with the inclusion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), regulatory reform, technological innovation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, all aligned with Africa Energy Emergency Agenda 2028 and Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
The Muzarabani Gas and Oil exploration should be funded by all African nations as it will benefit our continent. The Democratic Republic of Congo Inga Dam should be our African pride. The vast oil reserves in Angola and Nigeria should give Africa a well stabilized and well balanced petroleum Giant.
South Africa should be Africa's refinery hub,with Libya being our up North major supplier of oil to all Northern Countries.
- Continent and country overview
Africa’s energy sector remains under considerable strain. Existing electricity generation capacity, mainly from aging thermal and hydropower facilities, fails to meet national demand. This has led to chronic power outages, economic disruption, and social discontent. Despite these challenges, Africa is blessed with abundant and underutilized renewable energy resources:
- Solar irradiance exceeding 5.5 kWh/m²/day
- Viable wind corridors in Cape Town, Ghana, Namibia, Kenya, Egypt.
- Untapped Huge hydro potential, the Batoka in Southern Africa along the Zambezi River.
- Biomass from agriculture and forestry residues from Zimbabwe
- Massive uranium deposits in Zimbabwe for nuclear power plants.
- Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe hold the largest gas reserves on the African continent.
Furthermore, future pathways like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and geothermal energy offer long-term grid stability and diversification.
The African Governments should therefore of set ambitious targets:
- 80% renewable energy contribution by 2030
- 500,000 000 households electrified by 2030, and 900 million by 2035
.Energy Indepence status as a continent with the formation of a One Single Energy Market across the entire African continent.
- Current status and challenges for Africa
Key structural and operational Challenges:
- Aging Infrastructure: Over 60% of installed capacity is beyond its design life, leading to frequent breakdowns.
- Grid Instability: Lack of firm baseload power undermines renewable integration.
- Vandalism: Theft of transformers, copper cables, and other components is rampant.
- Financing Gaps: Limited access to concessional and commercial capital for energy projects.
- Regulatory Bottlenecks: Lengthy permitting, lack of transparency, and weak enforcement deter investment.
- Low Rural Electrification: Over 60% of rural communities remain unconnected to the grid.
- Continental targets and action plan
National Energy Compact Goals (2025–2030):by nations.
- 16000 MW installed capacity by 2030 for Zimbabwe,with a longer-term vision of surpassing 20,000 MW.
- 85% renewable energy contribution to the energy mix.
- 2 million new household connections by 2030.
- Position Zimbabwe as a net energy exporter in the Sadc region.
Strategic action plan
- Accelerate Renewable Energy Deployment with the inclusion of the private sector.
- Prioritise utility-scale solar, wind, and biomass projects.
- Incentivise the development of mini-grids and standalone systems.
- Adopt Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Partner with international nuclear technology providers to ensure grid stability., ROSATOM as an experienced Nuclear power plant specialist.
- Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) with policymakers supporting private sector ideas.
- Employ Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Independent Power Producer (IPP), and Joint Venture models with Government.
- Modernisation of the grid infrastructure with the involvement of grid specialist.
- Invest in grid automation, transmission upgrades, and digital metering and HVDC.
- Streamline licensing, introduce fiscal incentives, and stabilise policy frameworks.
- Build human capital with inclusion of modern technologies like AI.
- Collaborate with universities and TVETs to develop skilled energy professionals, however there's need for retooling of our universities, modern equipment must be given as a first priority so as to equip and produce a ready to deliver graduate.
- Development partner engagement
Key development partners are essential to support Africa's energy transition:
- Friendly global development banks: Technical assistance, electrification of clinics and schools, energy access support.
- African Development Bank (AfDB): Feasibility studies, project financing, energy policy reform.
- UNDP & GIZ: Capacity building, mini-grid pilots, climate resilience planning.
- Sadc & COMESA: Regional integration and cross-border energy trade.
- Strategic investment opportunities
- Massive renewable energy development across the continent.
- Utility-scale solar and wind farms (≥50 MW).
- Rural mini-grid development.
- Waste-to-energy and biomass conversion plants.
- Small modular reactor deployment for sustainable agriculture and mining.
- Engage partners from Canada, China, Russia, and the UAE for turnkey SMR solutions for knowledge transfer and skills upgrade.
3 Grid modernisation- Upgrade substations and transmission lines (per ZETDC, ESKOM, ZESCO, BPC, NAMPOWER and all African power utilities. inventory – Annex IV).
- Deploy real-time SCADA and demand response systems.
*Read more on www.thestandard.co.zw
Since SADC already has the Southern African Power Pool which has one of the best technologies in Africa.
- Smart technologies
- Digital metering, automated controls, AI-driven load management.
- Local equipment manufacturing.
African countriesshould establish local assembly lines for solar panels, inverters, batteries, Transmission equipment, VTs , turbines, steel engineering and Grid equipment.
- GREEN HYDROGEN AND BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEMS.
- Invest in pilot hydrogen production plants.
- Scale battery storage to stabilize intermittent
renewables.
- Enabling environment for investment
The AFRICAN Continent should actively pursue reforms to attract and protect investment:
- One-Stop Investment Centers: Streamlined licensing and approvals.
- Tax Incentives: Corporate tax holidays, VAT exemptions, and duty-free imports.
- Investment Guarantees: Bilateral treaties and sovereign-backed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- Blended Finance: Viability gap funding, green bonds, and concessional loans.
- LEVERAGING TOURISM AND GLOBAL FORUMS
Africa must integrate investment promotion into its foreign policy, tourism, and trade initiatives:
- Participate in Africa Energy Week, COP summits, and Dubai Energy Forum.
- Host Africa Energy Indaba Investment Expos featuring all African provincial energy corridors.
- Market energy zones alongside Victoria Falls, Inga in the DRC, Kariba, Kruger National Park and Hwange for eco-tourism and energy tourism synergies.
- CAPACITY BUILDING AND LOCAL EMPOWERMENT
A just energy transition must prioritize inclusive development:
- Establish Energy Training Institutes in partnership with universities and polytechnics.
- Support women and youth-led clean energy startups with grants and incubation.
- Promote local ownership of mini-grids and cooperatives through community trust models.
- ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Africa must build a diverse and climate-resilient portfolio:
- Develop flood-resilient substations, elevated transmission infrastructure, and climate-proof designs.
- Expand small hydros in all its constituencies.
- Explore geothermal potential in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
- Incorporate climate risk assessments in all energy planning with the Experience of ESKOM.
- CONCLUSION: THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
Energy is the lifeblood of Africa’s economic transformation, industrialization, and digital future.It is now time to build the superstructure of action., protect and safeguard Mother Africa.
Call to Action:
- The Governments of Africa must lead with bold, investor-friendly reforms.
- The Private Sector must invest with innovation and long-term commitment.
- Communities must participate actively in energy governance.
- Development Partners must support with agility and strategic financing.
Together, we can illuminate Africa's future inclusively, sustainably, and irreversibly. This is no longer an energy transition. It is a Continental Imperative.
Africa does not need the barrel of the gun to build its future, Africa needs the barrel of a pen through educating its children.
Africa needs to speak with one voice, Africa should never be an experimental laboratory.
Africa should be a Global powerhouse.
Asante Sana.
Prepared by:
Dr. Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa
Power Giants Private Limited Tel: +263 719 742 022
ceo@powergiantsgroup.com