Fair Energy Transition - Series 2026

Energy Sovereignty at Scale: Navigating Global Pressures and Local Ambitions

The continent’s energy security has historically been threatened by global shocks, such as oil price volatility as a consequence of geopolitical tensions, or, more recently, emission trading schemes or carbon adjustment mechanisms.

During the past decade, however, African governments and business leaders have made energy sovereignty and access crucial items on every agenda. Public and private investment across energy projects has tripled since the Covid crisis, driven by significant hydrocarbon discoveries, a thriving renewables sector, and a renewed focus on energy access and grid improvements. Never before has the world looked upon the continent as such a vital bastion of energy stability and innovation in the face of dwindling international stability.

Africa’s energy sector is thus at a crucial turning point. As global market pressure once again increases for reasons outside of the continent’s control, the challenge now is to find innovative solutions that address both local and international demands. In this scenario, the policies and strategies that African countries, energy actors, and financial institutions adopt to achieve full and sustainable energy sovereignty, while navigating the complexities of global energy markets, will shape Africa’s role in the global energy landscape for generations.