From 4–6 March 2025, the 17th annual Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) welcomed thousands of industry leaders, policymakers, investors and stakeholders committed to advancing energy solutions across the continent. South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa was in the spotlight this year as a key stakeholder attending the event.

South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Supplied by Africa Energy Indaba

Major highlights and key outcomes were:

  • High-level energy leadership engagements– government and private sector representatives from across Africa engaged in strategic discussions, reinforcing policies and commitments to energy transition, security and sustainability.
  • Deal-Making at the Projects Dealroom– multi-million-dollar investments and partnerships were secured, accelerating the development of critical energy infrastructure and renewable projects.
  • Breakthroughs in renewable energy and innovation– sessions focused on Africa’s Just Energy Transition, electrification and the role of renewables in meeting future energy demands.
  • Exhibition and workshops– attendees explored cutting-edge technologies, engaged in knowledge-sharing and attended exhibition workshops, covering topics like grid resilience, energy storage and green hydrogen.
  • The future of mobility: EV Forum– experts and industry leaders examined the trajectory of electric vehicles (EVs) in Africa, highlighting strategies to expand sustainable transport solutions.

 

In the spotlight

After delivering the opening address at the Africa Energy Indaba, Minister Ramokgopa took the media through the key interventions the ministry is driving, including reforms to the South African electricity market, investments in regional energy integration and measures to strengthen governance and transparency in the sector.

Minister Ramokgopa said, “South Africa has taken the conscious decision to place these issues at the centre of our G20 agenda:

  1. Reconfiguring the cost of capital: Climate finance must be made affordable and accessible. At present, developing nations face exorbitant borrowing costs due to perceived risks that do not reflect economic fundamentals but rather outdated and biased credit ratings. We need aggressive reforms to de-risk investments through guarantee mechanisms, blended finance structures and enhanced concessionality.
  2. Expanding fiscal space: The crippling debt burdens carried by developing countries continue to undermine their ability to invest in climate resilience and the clean energy transition. Meaningful debt restructuring and innovative financial instruments must be at the forefront of global discussions.
  3. Enhancing coordination between financial actors: The fragmentation of climate finance across numerous institutions – Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and vertical climate funds —creates inefficiencies that hinder impact. We must push for harmonised financial structures that align with national strategies, ensuring that finance flows are predictable, scaled and structured to deliver maximum impact.
  4. Strengthening the role of National Development Banks (NDBs): NDBs must be empowered to mobilise both domestic and international capital. Their unique position allows them to bridge the financing gap, but they require stronger capitalisation and de-risking support.
  5. Attracting private sector investment: Public finance alone will never be sufficient to meet the colossal investment requirements of the climate transition. Private capital must be mobilised at an unprecedented scale. To achieve this, governments must create an enabling environment offering policy certainty, strong regulatory frameworks, and project pipelines that are investment-ready.”

 

African energy security

Minister Ramokgopa added, “The three specific outcomes that shape our resolve in this respect are: Energy Security – forging affordable and reliable access; just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions and African interconnectivity and energy pools.”

He explained the key considerations and actions shaping resolve to drive growth and development, citing ‘Africa 2063: Strategic Actions for Energy’ – the continent’s master plan for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future:

  • Universal energy access by 2063 through regional integration
  • Enhanced energy security through diversified sources: nuclear, clean coal, hydro and gas must complement renewables. Scaled up renewable energy investments, targeting 600GW by 2050
  • Expected increase in electricity trade volumes by 300% – one unified African electricity grid by 2040
  • Integration of regional power pools to enhance energy security – integrated African Energy Planning; estimated USD660-billion in savings through coordinated energy planning
  • Integrated African policy frameworks: investment incentives are essential to develop cross-border electricity markets – a fully implemented AfCFTA electricity trade framework
  • Africa’s share of global energy investment remains below 5%, highlighting financing gaps: Africa-led energy financing mechanisms to reduce reliance on external donors
  • Africa needs USD2.6-trillion in energy sector funding by 2040 – strengthen African energy financing and enhance African investment instruments to reduce reliance on foreign (non-African) capital
  • Drive industrialisation and innovation through beneficiation at source of Africa’s abundant mineral and natural resources

“Africa’s time is now. The path to a prosperous and industrialised continent is not a distant aspiration – it is a mandate we must seize with urgency and collective resolve. Our abundant resources, youthful population, and growing markets position us to drive a new era of economic transformation, but this will not happen if we continue to be constrained by fragmented energy systems, underdeveloped infrastructure and outdated policy frameworks,” said Minister Ramokgopa.

Plans are already underway for the 18th Africa Energy Indaba in 2026, scheduled to take place from the 3–5 March 2026.

Sources:

  1. Africa Energy Indaba (AEI)
  2. Media statement made Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa at the 17th