Africa vast renewable energy potential is emerging as a defining opportunity to reshape the continent’s economic and industrial landscape. Speaking at a side event during the G20 4th Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meetings, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, outlined an ambitious vision to turn Africa natural wealth into engines of inclusive and sustainable growth.
“For Africa, this is the defining challenge and the defining opportunity of our century,” she said. “Our continent holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources, immense wind potential, and many of the critical minerals that underpin the global clean energy economy. But our greatest asset is our people young, innovative, and ready to build.”
Graham-Maré emphasised that Africa’s combination of abundant renewable resources and dynamic human capital positions it to lead a new era of green re-industrialisation. The goal, she said, is to use clean energy not only to power homes but to drive industrial production from green steel and hydrogen derivatives to electric mobility components and clean energy equipment.
Transforming Resources into Growth
Outlining her vision for inclusive industrialisation, Graham-Maré stressed the need to ensure that the energy transition creates decent jobs, supports small businesses, and empowers local communities. “We must make sure this transformation uplifts everyone,” she said, underscoring the importance of equitable growth.
Showcasing Success: Atlantis and Coega
She highlighted two South African initiatives already leading the way the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Cape Town and the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in the Eastern Cape. Atlantis is fast emerging as a renewable energy component manufacturing hub, while Coega is positioning itself as a major hydrogen export centre. “These hubs represent more than clusters of factories. They are ecosystems of innovation,” she said.
Building the Foundation: Policy, Finance, and Partnerships
While progress is visible, Graham-Maré acknowledged that Africa’s green industrialisation journey is still in its early stages. Achieving large-scale transformation will require aligned industrial, energy, and trade policies, strong public-private partnerships, and investment de-risking mechanisms. “Clean energy must not only power homes it must power factories,” she stated.
Africa and the G20: A Global Partnership
Calling on G20 economies to recognise Africa as a partner rather than a beneficiary, she urged them to make Africa’s industrial transformation central to the global energy transition. “True G20 leadership means viewing Africa not as a recipient of technology, but as a partner,” she asserted. She further advocated for predictable climate finance, fair trade for low-carbon goods, and co-investment platforms that can accelerate Africa’s sustainable growth.
Ensuring a Just Transition
Graham-Maré also stressed that South Africa’s green transition would be inclusive, particularly for workers and communities in coal-dependent regions. “We will bring them with us,” she affirmed. “We will turn former coal regions into new green industrial hubs, providing workers with opportunities for the future.”
Closing her remarks, the Deputy Minister underlined that Africa’s industrial future will be driven by its own resources, innovation, and partnerships. “Africa’s green industrialisation will not be a distant aspiration,” she said. “It will be a living reality African in origin, global in impact, and sustainable by design.”
With this vision, Africa aims not only to power its own development but also to play a central role in fueling the world’s transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.