The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) joined key stakeholders at the Future of Energy Conference (FEC) 2025, held on 26th and 27th August at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana. The civil group ably represented by its Legal and Programme Manager, Mr. David Ogungbesan and Monitoring and Evaluation/Compliance Officer, Mrs. Barakah Danmole. HEDA participated in high-level discussions on financing Africa’s energy transition and unlocking investments for sustainable growth.
The conference brought together policymakers, innovators, civil society organisations, private sector leaders, and development partners to reflect on Africa’s paradox of abundant natural resources amid persistent energy poverty. Participants highlighted the urgency of inclusive, accountable, and African-led solutions to address the reality that 600 million people on the continent still lack access to modern energy.
Across two days of keynote addresses, panel sessions, fireside chats, and side events, the dialogue centred on innovative financing models such as blended finance, carbon markets, green bonds, and diaspora bonds, while also warning against unsustainable debt burdens. Strong governance, enabling policies, and regional cooperation were underscored as critical enablers of progress, with civil society organisations like HEDA positioned to hold governments and corporations accountable. National Oil Companies (NOCs) were identified as strategic players in the transition, but participants emphasised the need for improved corporate governance and insulation from political interference.
A recurring theme was the importance of making clean energy projects “bankable” through financial viability, technical soundness, and supportive regulatory frameworks. The conference also featured an Innovation Challenge, where young Africans showcased home-grown solutions to energy challenges. Ashaba Ajarah from Uganda won first place with her innovative plastics-to-electricity and solar PV housing model, while innovations from Zimbabwe and Ghana also earned recognition.
In its communiqué, the conference reaffirmed that Africa’s energy transition must be shaped “by Africa, for Africa, from Africa.” It called for mobilising domestic resources, scaling blended financing, reforming tariffs, and fostering regional integration to position Africa competitively in the global clean energy value chain.
The 2025 edition not only reinforced the urgency of Africa’s transition agenda but also celebrated the continent’s growing capacity for innovation, collaboration, and leadership. With a commitment from stakeholders to deepen partnerships through 2026 and beyond, there is renewed hope that Africa’s clean energy future will be both inclusive and sustainable.
