In June Ambassadors and senior diplomats from countries across Africa met in Paris at the joint invitation of IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol and Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa of South Africa. During the meeting they discussed priority issues for the continent's energy sector, including clean cooking, critical mineral value chains, and cooperation under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The IEA Executive Director and South Africa’s Ambassador in France convened senior diplomats from countries representing about 60% of Africa’s energy supply. [Source: IEA]
The meeting brought together 15 delegations from across the African continent, representing countries that together account for around 60% of Africa’s total energy supply.
The IEA updated the delegations on its forthcoming report tracking the $2.2 billion in financial pledges made during the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, which took place in May 2024, and countries discussed progress on scaling up access to clean cooking over the past year.
Participants also spoke about the substantial energy opportunities they currently see in their countries, which cover a diverse array of energy resources. The African continent holds more than 60% of the world’s best solar resources, as well as significant reserves of oil and natural gas. It is also home to 40% of the world’s reserves of cobalt, manganese and platinum, materials that are essential components of important energy technologies.
The potential for African countries to leverage their mineral resources sustainably to maximise economic benefits, enhance bilateral cooperation, and contribute to energy transitions was particularly in focus during the discussions. Recent IEA analysis found that the market value of Africa’s key energy minerals production stood at around $66 billion for mining and refining in 2024, with announced projects indicating production could grow to almost $83 billion by 2040.
Additionally, the event provided a platform to discuss IEA support for South Africa’s current G20 Presidency, particularly through the Energy Transition Working Group. Ambassador Mthethwa of South Africa thanked the IEA for its cooperation and partnership in this regard.
Participants in the meeting emphasised that the first African Presidency of the G20, and the first G20 Summit to take place on the continent, together offer a unique opportunity to bring African perspectives and priorities to the fore – including a vision for energy security that places greater emphasis on energy access and clean cooking as crucial components of just, inclusive and affordable energy transitions.
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