In Africa, with a young demographic, a plethora of socioeconomic development requirements and energy poverty, among other pressing issues, meeting the population's minimum energy requirements is crucial and existential. These critical issues must be reconciled when mapping Africa’s development path and addressed before the drive to achieve net zero emissions.
With geopolitical tensions rising and growing pressures to eliminate hydrocarbons from the energy mix, the continent’s primary concern should be securing energy availability and affordability for its people. Currently, it is estimated that 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, creating significant barriers to health care, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, and, ultimately, job creation.
Therefore, the continent must focus on securing energy access from every source despite geopolitical tensions and increasing pressure to eliminate hydrocarbons. This natural resource is currently…