Africa Must Pursue ‘Just Energy Transition on Its Own Terms’- John Jinapor

Ghana’s Energy Minister, John Jinapor, has told global energy leaders that Africa’s transition to cleaner energy must be guided by the continent’s development priorities, not imported models.

Speaking during a panel discussion on “What Does a Just Energy Transition Mean for Africa?” at the Africa Energy Forum, Mr Jinapor shared Ghana’s perspective and outlined the country’s approach to balancing energy access, industrialisation, and sustainability.

“Africa must pursue its transition on terms that reflect its development needs, ensuring that climate action goes hand in hand with economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction,” the Minister stated.

Mr Jinapor stressed that policy credibility is critical for attracting investment into the energy sector. He also highlighted the role of natural gas as a transition fuel for Africa, while reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to scaling up renewables.

According to him, Ghana’s renewable energy push includes large-scale solar deployment, energy storage solutions, home solar systems, and the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The Minister argued that a “just energy transition” for Africa must expand access to reliable power, support industrial growth, promote clean cooking solutions, and directly address energy poverty.

“Africa must pursue a just energy transition on its own terms, one that expands access to reliable energy, supports industrial growth, promotes clean cooking solutions, addresses energy poverty and delivers a sustainable future without leaving anyone behind,” he said.

The Africa Energy Forum brings together policymakers, investors, and utilities to shape the continent’s energy future. Ghana has been positioning itself as a hub for renewable energy investment while maintaining gas as a backbone for base-load power.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/