- Africa’s green energy sector continues to expand, driving cleaner power generation and reducing the continent’s dependence on costly imports.
- Investors believe Africa’s green energy sector will unlock economic growth and strengthen long-term energy security.
Africa’s green energy sector is entering a period of rapid and sustained growth. The continent is increasingly focused on boosting power generation, supporting the transition to cleaner energy, and ending long-standing energy poverty.
Moreover, Africa holds more than 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, alongside vast solar and wind resources. These advantages position the continent well to utilise clean energy as a catalyst for economic and social development.
Even so, Africa must attract significant investment to realise these ambitions. The region also needs innovative financing solutions, stronger global partnerships, and greater private-sector involvement in energy project development. As a result, international collaboration has become essential.
The upcoming G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum, set for November 21 in Johannesburg, aims to address these priorities. It will bring together leading companies in renewable energy, natural gas, power generation and carbon markets. Furthermore, delegates will discuss Africa’s emerging energy economy and identify opportunities for new investment.
According to a recent report by Zawya, discussions will centre on closing the investment gap, accelerating impactful projects, and reinforcing the continent’s energy systems. Consequently, the forum is expected to act as a launchpad for new financing commitments.
Diversified energy remains a key element of Africa’s strategy. Companies such as Levene Energy are at the forefront of this approach. In Nigeria, the company is expanding midstream gas infrastructure to promote low-carbon gas transport as a cleaner alternative to diesel. It also provides emission-reduction services to upstream operators.
Additionally, Levene Energy collaborates with the Rural Electrification Agency to develop rural power generation projects and manufacture solar systems. Its CEO, Nzan Ogbe, will share insights into this integrated strategy during the G20 forum.
On the broader power sector, Clarke Energy is helping African countries address persistent supply challenges. It delivers distributed gas-fired power solutions that improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The company supplies gas engines, biogas upgraders, CO₂-capture systems, and battery storage.
Clarke Energy’s projects include a 1.5 MW Jenbacher plant in Nigeria, powered entirely by compressed natural gas to support agricultural processing. A combined heat and power plant in Tunisia also strengthens the electricity supply for textile manufacturing. Kara Neale, the firm’s Commercial Leader, will highlight these applications at the event.
Africa’s carbon credit market is also gaining momentum. Green Asset Exchange, the continent’s first locally developed environmental asset trading platform, enables transparent transactions for carbon credits and Renewable Energy Certificates. This platform helps bridge Africa’s energy financing gap and supports the development of clean-energy projects. Managing Director Nick Rowley will offer further insight into this fast-growing market at the forum.
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, emphasised the scale of the opportunity. He remarked that Africa needs financing mechanisms that reflect its unique realities. He added that the G20 Forum is not merely a discussion platform but a vehicle for unlocking real investment that will convert Africa’s renewable and natural gas potential into reliable energy for millions of people.