From Nairobi to Addis: AERC Continues the Push for a People-Centred Energy Transition on the Continent

The Africa Energy Renaissance Conference (AERC 2.0) in Addis Ababa is the second such gathering following its inaugural convening in Nairobi from August 30 to September 1, 2023. This year's convening was timely because we needed to take stock since the first Africa Climate Summit (ACS-1) and ensure that the civil society organizations (CSOs) and movements operating in Africa were aligned ahead of ACS-2.

The two-day session kicked off with a keynote speech from Hamza Hamouchene on the State of Energy in Africa and Dismantling Green Colonialism, a necessary discussion to help us examine what we mean by a just transition. This term has become a common phrase in international and continental climate spaces but often means something different. He offered examples from the northern part of Africa, where renewable projects adopted the same extractivist model of development that perpetuated colonial plunder, much like the fossil fuels, resulting in the dispossessing communities of their land.

The convening also brought to our attention the wave of "dangerous distractions" packaged as solutions, from carbon capture to geoengineering. A panel of experts dissected these false solutions and submitted that none of these proposed solutions address the root problem and instead continue the exploitation of Africans through dispossession for carbon credits or unknown risks associated with geoengineering. Worse still, these approaches shift the burden onto Africans who have contributed the least to climate change while giving polluters a license to continue polluting.

Panel discussion at AERC 2.0

Africa is being pushed to play a mitigating role when our real fight should be to avoid emissions and advocate for financing and technology transfer for renewable energy that will prevent the continent from becoming locked into a fossil fuel path. 

On a more hopeful note, one of the panellists, Dean Bhebhe, shared that all is not lost; the continent's leaders are beginning to show leadership. This was exemplified when African leaders representing the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) rejected a resolution pushing for the legitimization of solar geoengineering technologies, such as stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening, at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA6). He nonetheless warned that the pressure will continue, and our vigilance must too.

Day two of AERC 2.0 focused on the language and framing in the declaration expected from ACS2 and included a candid discussion on the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and why African countries should offer their support.

Omar Elmawi, Convener of the Africa Movement of Movements, who also facilitated the two-day session, summed it up thus:

“The Africa Energy Renaissance Conference in Addis Ababa brought together leading voices from across the continent to reflect on Africa’s energy journey, assess progress, and chart the way forward. The discussions spotlighted powerful campaigns such as StopEACOP, exposed the pitfalls of false solutions (dangerous distractions), and concluded with a strategy for effectively engaging at Africa Climate Summit 2, beginning with the People's Assembly tomorrow.”

For StopEACOP, Addis Ababa served as a reminder that our struggle is not isolated. It is part of a continental effort to dismantle energy colonialism in all its forms—whether fossil fuels or the false solutions championed as green alternatives—and to demand that Africa’s energy future is shaped by and for its people.

As we transition to ACS2, we carry with us the voices of solidarity and commitments from AERC 2.0. This is our opportunity to demonstrate that Africa’s majority will not be sidelined and that movements are crucial in paving a path that prevents dispossession and achieves genuine climate justice.