Africa’s Renewable Energy Future: Industry Leaders Push for Stronger Partnerships
Renewable energy stakeholders have called for stronger industry partnerships to accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition and expand electricity access across the continent.
The call was made at a news conference in Lagos ahead of the Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) 2026, scheduled for November 25 and 26.
Organised by the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), the forum will bring together industry players to discuss opportunities and challenges within Africa’s renewable energy market.
Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA), Lamide Niyi-Afuye, said cooperation among industry associations was crucial to overcoming common challenges and improving electricity access.
He stressed that Africa’s renewable energy development should deliver more than household electricity connections by supporting businesses, industrial growth and employment.
According to him, reliable power supply would help farmers process and preserve agricultural produce while enabling businesses to expand production and create jobs.
He added that improved electricity access would strengthen healthcare, education and digital services across African communities.
Niyi-Afuye argued that the success of the continent’s energy transition should also reflect improvements in employment, household incomes, business productivity and economic development.
He noted that national grids, mini-grids and standalone renewable energy systems must work together to address different communities’ electricity needs.
Also speaking, AFSIA Director of Operations, Benjamin Clarke, identified cooperation among renewable energy developers, manufacturers, governments, regulators and financial institutions as essential to attracting investment.
He explained that each stakeholder had a responsibility to support favourable policies, mobilise funding and ensure that industry decisions addressed practical market conditions.
Clarke noted that collaboration among renewable energy associations had helped shape Nigeria’s mini-grid regulations.
He added that mini-grids were increasingly being recognised as critical electricity infrastructure rather than temporary alternatives to conventional power supply.
He maintained that Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges required different solutions to increase generation and improve access.
Meanwhile, Jinko Solar’s Senior Sales Manager for West Africa, Esther Eyenobong, disclosed that approximately 86 million Nigerians still lacked access to electricity.
She said the company was introducing modern solar technologies to address Nigeria’s growing energy demands.
The discussions highlight the importance of partnerships, investment and technological innovation in unlocking Africa’s renewable energy potential.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
