Energy transition, climate agenda to generate 26 million jobs for Africans by 2050
By Fredrick Wright
An integrated policy framework built around the energy transition could generate about 26 million jobs for Africans by 2050, a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) has revealed.
The report also revealed that the energy transition regime would bring a wave of new sustainable energy investment to Africa, growing the region’s economy by 6.4% by 2050.
The report, “Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Africa and Its Regions”, showed that Africa is prospering significantly from development enabled by renewables, while greatly improving energy access and offering profound welfare and environmental benefits to people across the continent.
“Its vision for an energy transition in Africa aligned with global climate ambition, shows the continent generating 26 million more economy-wide jobs by 2050 than is anticipated under a business as usual scenario plans. Jobs created through the energy transition in Africa would outstrip fossil fuel related job losses by a factor of four, presenting a significant net gain to regional economies. Around two million people currently work in the fossil fuel industry in Africa.”
Director-General of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, said: “Africa’s governments and people are too often asked to rely on unsustainable fossil fuels to power their development when renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions offer economically attractive and socially beneficial alternatives,”
“The transition offers a unique opportunity for Africa to meet its development imperatives. Through tailored policy packages, African countries can harness their strengths and resources to overcome long-established structural dependencies.” he stated.
AfDB Vice-President for power, energy, climate and green growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki, said: “Africa is endowed with abundant renewable energy sources, upon which it can sustainably base its ambitious socio-economic development. However, this requires strong political commitment, a just and equitable energy transition framework, and massive investments,” said
The report stated that coal, natural gas and oil together account for about 70% of Africa’s total electricity generation today and conventional power attracts far more funding than renewables in Africa, owing to an established process that favours less capital-intensive thermal generation, the report notes. Energy transition finance must become more readily accessible.
It added that coordinated efforts should be made to ensure public spending – the dominant source of energy transition finance in Africa – clearly prioritises renewables.
