Why Africa’s Green Energy Leap Could Change the World

Africa contributes just 3–4% of global emissions but holds some of the best renewable energy potential anywhere — solar in the Sahel, wind in the Cape, hydro in the Great Lakes.

If the continent can leapfrog the fossil fuel stage, it could power growth without locking in decades of coal and oil. Projects like Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Farm, South Africa’s REIPPPP, and Morocco’s Noor solar complex are proof that large-scale renewables are viable here.

The stakes are global. Success would mean lower emissions, new industries, and a competitive edge in green manufacturing. But it needs political will, investor confidence, and local skills.

Green growth isn’t charity. It’s strategy.