Africa Energy Forum: Insights from UNGA 80

At the Africa Energy Forum, held during the UN General Assembly, the conversations kept circling back to one truth: Africa is sitting on the minerals and energy resources the world now depends on, and how the continent manages them will shape both its future and the global energy transition.

Critical Minerals as Leverage

It’s hard to overstate the importance of Africa’s mineral wealth. Lithium, cobalt, rare earths—these aren’t just commodities; they’re the guts of batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. The Democratic Republic of the Congo alone accounts for the majority of the world’s cobalt. That kind of concentration means Africa isn’t just a participant in the clean energy race—it’s central to it.

But here’s the catch: if the minerals are only exported, the story won’t change much at home. The real opportunity lies in linking extraction with local projects that actually bring electricity to communities. Done right, this could help reduce the staggering number of people still living without reliable power—over 600 million across the continent.

Energy Poverty Front and Center

Energy poverty is not an abstract concept; it’s daily life for more than half a billion Africans. The Forum was blunt about it: unless energy access improves, broader development goals will keep stalling. The promise of renewable energy tied to local resources could be a breakthrough, but the discussion also turned to technology—specifically, how AI can sharpen the delivery of power.

AI’s Growing Role

AI came up often, not as a futuristic buzzword but as a set of practical tools. Think of smart grids that can predict demand before blackouts happen, or algorithms that determine which mix of solar, wind, and hydro makes sense for a specific region. Data centers powered by AI are already helping manage energy flows and reduce waste. None of this replaces the need for investment in infrastructure, but it makes the system smarter and more efficient.

Partnerships and Capital

If there was a unifying theme, it was collaboration. Governments can’t carry the burden alone. Private capital, multilateral institutions, and local communities all have to be part of the solution. The investment requirements are heavy—building out mining, processing, and distribution is expensive—but the long-term payoff in jobs, economic resilience, and energy security is undeniable.

The Sustainability Question

One clear warning: growth without responsibility will backfire. Communities won’t support mining that destroys water sources or erodes farmland. Investors won’t back projects that carry reputational risk. Sustainability isn’t a side note anymore; it’s part of the deal. That means careful extraction, reduced environmental damage, and fair benefit-sharing with local populations.

Looking Ahead

What came through in the discussions is that Africa’s role in global energy is no longer just about potential—it’s about agency. By combining its mineral base with renewable projects and smart technologies like AI, the continent can reduce energy poverty at home while securing a stronger position in the global market.

The choices made now will determine whether Africa remains just a supplier of raw materials or becomes a genuine driver of the energy transition.