Plans and promises for a just energy transition are multiplying across the world. Currently at play are global processes – like the establishment of the Belem Action Mechanism, the First International Conference for a Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels recently hosted in Santa Marta with key outcomes including the hosting of further conferences (for an summary of key outcomes see Carbon Brief), as well as African Union processes, like the Mission 300, and just energy transitions across African states.
But beyond rhetoric, a different reality is unfolding. While policy makers sit in rooms negotiating idealism, the reality is that African communities and Indigenous Peoples’ energy “transitions” are being decided by wars and economic scuffles abroad. And the longer African governments wait to build clean energy systems in their countries, the further their control over their transitions wane.
Just energy transitions should have a goal of achieving energy and climate justice. Energy justice speaks to the principle that those who bear the costs of energy systems should also equally share in the benefits. This applies to any form of energy – whether fossil fuel-driven or renewable.
African is paying a high price for instability
Currently, African communities are going to be paying the price for the United States – Iran war, a war that is not of their making and that they have nothing to do with. They bear an increasingly difficult burden of out-of-control oil prices while still not having access to clean energy sources.
The ripple effect of these high prices is already being seen in local transport, access to fertilisers and transportation of goods. Close to home, this is seen in Zimbabwe, with people not being able to afford transport to work (there is a 70% increase in costs), and South Africa, where people are panic-buying petrol and diesel.
While the frustration of high fuel prices is being felt across the world, not all countries and their populace are feeling the negative impacts equally. Fossil fuel companies[1] are securing their profit margins with the extra costs being pushed onto the poorest of consumers. This is in addition to fossil fuel companies already having the benefit of subsidies to keep them in business.
The question then needs to be asked: why is Africa continuing to rely on fossil fuels, when a sovereign energy system is in our reach?
A sovereign energy system for Africa
This vision is already outlined in proposals for an African Single Electricity System built on existing power pools and expanded renewable energy. Although there is an argument that says it will be too expensive to move over, evidence that shows that it is cheaper to move to net-zero than pay the costs of the impacts of the US-Israel led war on Iran, which has thrown global oil supply off balance, as already reported in the context of United Kingdom.
Conversely, African leaders argue that accessing other oil and gas (not from the middle east) or their own local oil and gas, would be a readily available solution. However, the cost of damage to people and environment, firstly, outweighs this – with Nigeria being a key example. Secondly, the conflict and instability that oil and gas has brought to other countries like Venezuela, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran should make African states very uneasy about being at the mercy of undemocratized energy systems.
Africa holds over 30% of critical minerals, the labour capacity and the potential to build, manufacture and create renewable energy systems that bring safety, security, carbon emission reduction, opportunity, industry and prosperity to Africa as evidenced in the Africa Green Minerals Strategy. Freedom from the influences of global politics and neocolonialism should be sought now or African will face the loss of investment and the threat to economies by other states who only stand to gain while Africa loses.
Africa has the plans for a just energy transition foundation – like the African Single Electricity system plan, African Renewable Energy Initiative, and the African Union Green Minerals Strategy. This moment is an opportunity to move away from a volatile and unjust system.
African can pave the way towards JET
In terms of energy justice and future proofing, a fossil fuel-based economy will not thrive in Africa, with Africa having no control over its resources, access or voice in this space. Renewable energy systems can avoid these challenges of foreign control, but only if the energy system as it stands is recognized for being unjust. We also need to address the inequality at play where some countries and people benefit from an energy crisis, while others pay the price.
The meeting of African Ministers in charge of energy, under the auspices of the African Union, is currently happening, with recommendations from the African Energy Commission to establish an African Union Energy Crisis Coordination Mechanism. We must focus on just energy transition foundations like the African Single Electricity system plan, and the African Union Green Minerals Strategy with a push for energy sovereignty, democracy and justice.
Africa can be the beacon of light. It must transition to systems that, in the long-term, will make the continent prosper, address inequality and poverty across the region, while upholding the principles of just energy transitions. Communities across Africa need to demand states follow the renewable energy pathway to avoid further damage to environment and to their future.
[1] Al-monitor “TotalEnergies reaped more than $1B profit from Iran war: What to know” (30 March 2026) Available at https:/www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/totalenergies-reaped-more-1b-profit-iran-war-what-know ; Reuters “Big Oil to reap billions from Iran war windfall after a month of soaring energy prices” (26 March 2026) Available at https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ceraweek-big-oil-reap-billions-iran-war-windfall-after-month-soaring-energy-2026-03-26/ ; The Mercury “How the Iran war is reshaping profits for US and Iranian firms” (30 March 2026) Available at https://themercury.co.za/sundayindependent/dispatch/2026-03-28-how-the-iran-war-is-reshaping-profits-for-us-and-iranian-firms/; Middle East Eye “The oil, gas and arms companies profiting from the war on Iran” (27 April 2026) Available at https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/oil-gas-arms-companies-profiting-war-on-iran CNN “Giant fossil fuel companies made about $12 000 in the time it took you to read this headline” (27 April 2026) Available at https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/27/climate/fossil-fuel-companies-profits-war-conflict
