African Civil society organisations applaud the commitment in its Ten-Year Strategy that most new generation capacity and low-carbon growth development in Africa will be powered by renewable energy.
We welcome this commitment that will ensure that all African households and firms have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable and modern energy by 2033.
These critical steps demonstrate the AfDB's leadership in rethinking the energy transition on the continent.
The African civil society and climate movement, however, takes note of several areas that must be refocused to strengthen the strategy, namely:
- International Financial Institutions (IFIs), including the AfDB, must implement a Fossil Fuel Exclusion Policy across all their finance and policy instruments.
- Community-led development is largely absent in the Ten Year Plan – the AfDB needs to embed meaningful engagement with communities affected by their projects and ensure that women and young people have access to consultations and that there is reasonable follow-up to commitments as well as access to remedy whenever harm is caused.
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The private sector should not determine the pace of energy access and renewable energy for industrialisation. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be vehicles for profit extraction by multinationals based in the Global North, as past experience has shown.
These AfDB Meetings are about reforming the Global Financial Architecture. Central to this is the need for the Global North to urgently resolve Africa’s debt crisis.
The mounting sovereign debt crisis and the prioritisation of profit for private finance are restricting African governments from meeting the basic needs of their citizens and has hurt the ability to industrialise and to tackle multiple challenges such as the climate crisis and food insecurity that continue to derail the continent’s progress.
Alongside prohibitive debt repayments that are crowding out African governments’ ability to invest in sustainable development sits a growing list of broken promises on climate finance.
The $100 billion in annual climate finance promised by rich industrialised nations failed to materialise by 2020 and a new target has been set for 2025.
A feasible next step for Institutions of International Financial Architecture is to cancel the debt of dangerously indebted countries and deliver adequate climate finance to support Africa in its quest for a sustainable and renewable energy future for growth and prosperity aligned with the Paris Agreement.
QUOTES:
“We ask that the AfDB’s Ten Year Strategy closes the door to future funding for gas in Africa because of the harmful effects to the communities and environment of Senegal. We also ask that the Bank halts any direct or indirect financing for the Sendou coal-fired power station, including switching it from coal to gas.” Mamadou Barry, Action Solidaire International, Senegal
“The Ten Year Strategy of the AfDB identifies meeting the needs of youth as a key priority. Providing the necessary enabling environment and investments for promoting youth-led solutions will be critical for attaining Africa’s energy needs.” Chibeze Ezekiel, SYNDGhana
“The AfDB’s strategy, while promising on paper, continues to entertain ‘false solutions’ like green hydrogen, that are inconsistent with Africa's energy and development needs and climate priorities. The Bank should instead invest in wind and solar power to drive the continent's energy transformation. It’s time to focus on realistic and sustainable solutions that genuinely benefit Africans.” Fran Witt, Campaign Manager, Recourse
“AFDB's emphasis on the private sector involvement in its strategy is a red flag. Private sector players could lead to profit-driven models that undermine the urgency of energy access and justice in Africa. Public-private partnerships should not be vehicles for multinational profit extraction. Instead, they should ensure equitable distribution of development benefits, particularly among Africa's vulnerable populations. The AfDB must prioritise support for Africa’s sustainable and inclusive growth.” Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe, Don’t Gas Africa
“The AfDB’s focus on large-scale, private sector-led projects is concerning. These ambitious projects often sideline the voices and needs of our people. A just energy transition requires community-led development and genuine engagement with those directly affected by these projects. The Bank must move beyond token consultations and ensure meaningful participation and access to remedies wherever and whenever harm occurs.” Mohamed Adow, Power Shift Africa, Kenya
"The African Development Bank's decision to exclude gas from the household sector is commendable, but the inclusion of gas in the industrial sector is problematic. Africa has abundant access to cleaner and more sustainable renewable energy sources that should be prioritised to power the continent's development. The Bank can demonstrate greater ambition and vision by positioning Africa to lead the global renewable energy revolution to secure a future that protects our people, our nature and our climate." Omar Elmawi, Convenor, Africa Movement Building Space
“The AfDB's Strategy lays out an ambitious roadmap for sustainable development but falls short of addressing the urgent need for a thorough Fossil Fuel Exclusion Policy. This is necessary to avoid perpetuating the same patterns of resource extraction and environmental degradation that have restricted Africa's progress. We demand a firm commitment to renewable energy that truly prioritises the energy access and development needs of our communities over bankable mega-projects.” Joab Okanda Pan Africa Senior Advocacy Advisor, Christian Aid