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Renewable energy

Africa's Energy Transition: Balancing Poverty Eradication and Global Just Transition Goals

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Africa, home to over 600 million people lacking access to electricity and 900 million without clean cooking solutions, is prioritizing the eradication of energy poverty over the global Just Transition's shift to cleaner, renewable energy. New cross-border oil and gas pipeline projects aim to address this pressing issue, leveraging the continent's vast hydrocarbon resources. Despite the global push for a fossil fuel-free transition, Africa is taking a pragmatic approach, championing a Global South-led approach that prioritizes equity, dignity, and development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, and 900 million are without clean cooking solutions, according to a 2024 World Bank fact sheet.
  • Africa has 125 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which will be harnessed through large-scale oil and gas projects to eradicate energy poverty.
  • The African Energy Chamber's Executive Chairman, NJ Ayuk, advocates for the use of fossil fuels to address energy poverty, saying "if to eradicate energy poverty, citizens of these economies must burn fossil fuels for a couple more decades, so be it."
  • Professor Arthur G. O. Mutambara stresses that developing nations must lead the Just Energy transition, emphasizing equity, dignity, and development as core principles.
  • Cross-border oil and gas pipeline projects, such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline (GOGGP), are being developed to facilitate the export of natural gas and reduce reliance on biomass.
  • The EACOP project aims to link Uganda's oil fields to the port of Tanga in Tanzania, facilitating the export of up to 246,000 barrels per day.
  • TotalEnergies holds a 62% share in the EACOP project, with Uganda National Oil Company (15%) and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (15%) holding equal shares.

Statistics:

  • Over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, and 900 million are without clean cooking solutions (2024 World Bank fact sheet).
  • Africa has 125 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
  • The EACOP pipeline is expected to be 1,443 km long and will facilitate the export of up to 246,000 barrels per day.
  • The Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline (GOGGP) will aim to boost regional gas trade, expand export capacity, and support the transition to cleaner energy sources.
  • The African Energy Bank (AEB) will offer tailored financing solutions to help close funding gaps for oil and gas project developments across the continent.

Sources:

  • World Bank fact sheet (2024)
  • African Energy Chamber statement (NJ Ayuk)
  • Professor Arthur G. O. Mutambara's book, Artificial Intelligence: A Driver of Inclusive Development and Shared Prosperity for The Global South (April 2025)
  • East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) update (2025)
  • Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline (GOGGP) agreement (2025)
  • West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPco) routine maintenance announcement
  • Republic of Mozambique Pipeline Investments Company (ROMPCO) press release (2025)

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