Nairobi, Kenya — African energy experts, economists and climate justice advocates have warned that continued dependence on fossil fuels is worsening poverty and inequality across the continent, calling instead for an urgent shift to community-driven renewable energy systems.
The warning was issued during a high-level webinar moderated by Kenyan journalist Edith Kimani, where participants challenged the long-standing assumption that oil and gas extraction would drive Africa’s economic development.
Drawing from findings of the “Pipe Dreams” report presented by climate and energy researcher Gregg Muttitt, speakers argued that over six decades of fossil fuel extraction have left many African economies fragile, marked by high inflation, corruption and widening inequality.
“Oil-based economies consistently perform worse than non-resource-intensive economies,” Muttitt said, noting that such countries often experience slower growth and greater vulnerability to global shocks.
He added that recent geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have further exposed Africa’s dependence on volatile global fuel markets, contributing to rising fuel prices and food insecurity across the continent.
The discussion highlighted the disproportionate impact of energy poverty on women and rural communities.
Dr Mela Chiponda, Executive Director of Shine Collab, described Africa’s energy crisis as a “crisis of care and survival,” stressing that millions of women continue to shoulder the burden of inadequate energy access through unpaid labour.
“The lack of access to clean, affordable and safe energy increases unpaid care work for women and further impoverishes them,” she said.
She noted that in many rural areas, up to 98 per cent of women still rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking due to limited access to cleaner alternatives.
Participants also pointed to the paradox in several oil-producing nations, including Nigeria and South Sudan, where abundant natural resources have not translated into improved living standards or affordable energy.
Despite investments in large-scale infrastructure such as the Dangote refinery, speakers argued that global oil pricing systems continue to dictate domestic fuel costs, limiting local benefits.
The panelists identified renewable energy as Africa’s most viable pathway to inclusive and sustainable development.
Zimbabwean climate advocate Kudakwashe Manjonjo cautioned against continued investment in fossil fuels, warning it could lock the continent into outdated and extractive economic systems.
“Africa should not double down on fossil fuels,” he said. “Renewable energy creates local incomes, stimulates economic activity and strengthens national sovereignty.”
Experts revealed that Africans have imported about 15 gigawatts of solar panels for private use, reflecting growing grassroots demand for clean energy despite limited institutional support.
However, they raised concerns that Africa receives only about two per cent of global climate finance, a gap that continues to hinder large-scale renewable energy deployment.
Energy expert Joab Okanda cited corruption, weak regulatory frameworks and poor infrastructure planning as major barriers to renewable energy expansion.
He referenced Kenya’s wind energy sector, where electricity generation has exceeded transmission capacity, leaving many communities without access to available power.
Although Kenya generates nearly 90 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, access and affordability remain significant challenges for low-income populations.
Speakers emphasised the need for alternative development models rooted in community ownership, environmental justice and gender inclusion.
Chiponda criticised Africa’s prevailing extractive development approach, warning that the rush for critical minerals required for renewable technologies could replicate inequalities seen in fossil fuel industries.
“We must abandon development models that dispossess communities,” she said, advocating for decentralised energy systems managed by local populations rather than large corporate entities.
Participants also called for stronger enforcement of regional legal frameworks, including the African Union’s Maputo Protocol, to safeguard indigenous communities affected by energy and mining projects.
The webinar concluded with a consensus that Africa’s future lies in accelerating a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy, prioritising equity, resilience and local development over continued fossil fuel expansion.
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