Africa’s clean energy challenge: new un mechanism aims to power 600 million without electricity while protecting workers

Six hundred million people across Africa currently live without electricity, representing one of the world’s most pressing energy access challenges. While many experts believe industrialization holds the key to expanding clean electricity access across the continent and broader Global South, ensuring this transition is equitable remains a complex balancing act.

The recent UN climate conference (COP30) in Brazil offered new hope with the approval of the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM), designed to facilitate a “just transition” from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This mechanism specifically acknowledges the rights of workers and Indigenous communities who could be affected by the shift away from coal and other fossil fuels, while also recognizing those who mine the critical minerals essential for renewable energy infrastructure.

Climate advocates welcomed the BAM’s emphasis on grants rather than loans to support the transition, though specific implementation details remain unclear. The mechanism builds on existing low-carbon energy initiatives but notably lacks a concrete plan for phasing out oil, coal, and gas. “The move to establish a just transition mechanism is positive and shows the power of civil society organizing,” said Friederike Strub from the Netherlands-based nonprofit Recourse. However, she emphasized that success will require “public finance backing, systemic economic reform, and a clear roadmap to end fossil fuels.”

The challenge ahead involves not only upgrading power grids and infrastructure to reach millions without electricity, but doing so in a way that protects existing workers while building sustainable, clean energy systems across Africa.