Briefing Paper

Enhancing a Continental Policy on Energy Access in Africa

During a century in which people are preoccupied by climate change and sustainable development, Africa emerges as the new frontier of a global energy transition. Energy access in Africa can be reached through unity within and across the continent. Eliminating the obstacles of the historical divisions of the continent – whether linguistic, economic,
or geographic – would foment investments and development aid. The African Union would be best equipped to reallocate and
redistribute resources if it developed
a unique, dedicated continental tool to promote energy access in all of Africa. An African continental energy policy would provide the framework for international
initiatives to effectively and transparently participate to increase
clean and renewable energy access, responding to the needs of Africans as expressed by Africans themselves.