3 Energy Transition in Africa: Context, Barriers and Strategies
87
they are exploited thus resulting in possible market failure—which would
not only affect the value, speed and scale of the economic transition but
would ‘strand’ jobs and communities.
3.3.2 Developmental Aspirations
According to the United Nations Development Programme’s Human
Development Report 2018, 53 out of the 55 African countries are categorized as developing states.
65 These states are currently pursuing efforts
to not only develop and diversify their economies but also improve
energy access in line with the sustainable development goals. Moreover, their populations continue to grow and urbanize. Predictably and
inevitably, Africa’s energy demand is on an upward trajectory, much of
which will be met by expanded use of fossil fuels. Indeed, according to
Africa’s Energy Outlook Report, Africa’s energy demand will increase by
80% by 2040 and its demand for primary energy (excluding biomass) of
will keep rising by 8.9% p.a, on until 2040 inclusive of energy, transport,
industry, agriculture and housing sectors.
66
The Report also forecasts that the continent will continue to depend
on fossil fuels and petroleum products even with the deployment of
renewables because as the continent develops, its transport sector will
continue to demand for oil (there is little demand and uptake of electric
vehicles in Africa) and gas will be widely used as the bridge fuel for coal
as renewable energy is developed.
67 African countries are thus faced with
the challenge of whether to develop their economies (invariably through
energy-intensive activities) or whether to reduce consumption as part of
their climate mitigation strategies.
65 United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Indices and Indicators: 2018
Statistical Update, http://hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update, accessed 2 September 2019.
66 International Energy Agency, ‘Africa Energy Outlook 2040’, https://www.icafrica.org/en/kno
wledge-hub/article/africa-energy-outlook-a-focus-on-energy-prospects-in-sub-saharan-africa-263/,
accessed 2 September 2019.
67 International Energy Agency, ‘Africa Energy Outlook 2040’, https://www.icafrica.org/en/kno
wledge-hub/article/africa-energy-outlook-a-focus-on-energy-prospects-in-sub-saharan-africa-263/,
pp. 76–79, accessed 2 September 2019.
87
they are exploited thus resulting in possible market failure—which would
not only affect the value, speed and scale of the economic transition but
would ‘strand’ jobs and communities.
3.3.2 Developmental Aspirations
According to the United Nations Development Programme’s Human
Development Report 2018, 53 out of the 55 African countries are categorized as developing states.
65 These states are currently pursuing efforts
to not only develop and diversify their economies but also improve
energy access in line with the sustainable development goals. Moreover, their populations continue to grow and urbanize. Predictably and
inevitably, Africa’s energy demand is on an upward trajectory, much of
which will be met by expanded use of fossil fuels. Indeed, according to
Africa’s Energy Outlook Report, Africa’s energy demand will increase by
80% by 2040 and its demand for primary energy (excluding biomass) of
will keep rising by 8.9% p.a, on until 2040 inclusive of energy, transport,
industry, agriculture and housing sectors.
66
The Report also forecasts that the continent will continue to depend
on fossil fuels and petroleum products even with the deployment of
renewables because as the continent develops, its transport sector will
continue to demand for oil (there is little demand and uptake of electric
vehicles in Africa) and gas will be widely used as the bridge fuel for coal
as renewable energy is developed.
67 African countries are thus faced with
the challenge of whether to develop their economies (invariably through
energy-intensive activities) or whether to reduce consumption as part of
their climate mitigation strategies.
65 United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Indices and Indicators: 2018
Statistical Update, http://hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update, accessed 2 September 2019.
66 International Energy Agency, ‘Africa Energy Outlook 2040’, https://www.icafrica.org/en/kno
wledge-hub/article/africa-energy-outlook-a-focus-on-energy-prospects-in-sub-saharan-africa-263/,
accessed 2 September 2019.
67 International Energy Agency, ‘Africa Energy Outlook 2040’, https://www.icafrica.org/en/kno
wledge-hub/article/africa-energy-outlook-a-focus-on-energy-prospects-in-sub-saharan-africa-263/,
pp. 76–79, accessed 2 September 2019.