2nd Edition of the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2025

Hon John Jinapor Calls for Bold, Afrocentric Reforms at Africa Energy Technology Conference 2025

Accra, Ghana – May 27, 2025. The Minister of Energy and Green Transition of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, delivered the opening address at the 2nd Edition of the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2025, calling for a radical shift in how Africa approaches its energy future.

The conference was held under the theme “Innovate, Invest, Implement: Revolutionizing Financing for Sustainable Energy Growth in Africa”.

In the keynote speech, Hon. Jinapor urged African nations to move beyond outdated models of resource extraction and dependency, advocating instead for an Afrocentric energy strategy focused on local innovation, ownership and transformation.

“Africa has played the role of raw material exporter for far too long,” he declared. “This model has failed us. The time has come for a fundamental reset, not cosmetic reforms, but a bold reimagining of our energy architecture.”

Highlighting the central role of Africa’s youth and women in driving sustainable energy development, the Minister pointed to initiatives like Ghana’s One Million Coders programme as examples of how digital empowerment can fuel cross-sector innovation.

“Our greatest resource is not what lies beneath the ground, but who walks above it,” he said, emphasizing the need to not only train young Africans but to create the economic and institutional conditions necessary to retain their talent on the continent.

In a pointed critique of global energy dynamics, the Minister lamented that Africa was being sidelined on the global energy chessboard. He cited recent trade tensions, logistics disruptions, and Western double standards on energy sources such as coal and nuclear.

“We were told to abandon coal and nuclear, and we did without interrogating the costs. Meanwhile, the West is reviving them,” he said. “Africa must define its pathway out of energy poverty. We must act in our interest boldly and unapologetically.”

On financing, the Minister decried Africa’s overreliance on external funding sources, calling for the urgent operationalization of the Africa Energy Bank as a mechanism to de-risk and fund large-scale energy projects from within the continent.

“We cannot rely on distorted, conditional financing that carries colonial echoes,” he stated. “Let us develop our financial markets to support our energy aspirations and retain value within Africa.”

Addressing issues of governance and integrity, Hon. Jinapor was candid about the sector’s internal challenges, including corruption and mismanagement.

“We cannot light the way for our people while allowing rot to fester in our institutions,” he said. “Transparency and integrity must be non-negotiable.”

He made a passionate call to action for all stakeholders present to seize the opportunity as a turning point, a moment where Africa commits to building technologies, financing its projects, and powering the future. “Africa must be a respected partner, not a passive participant.”

The conference, which continues over the coming days, is expected to foster dialogue and generate actionable commitments toward revolutionizing Africa’s energy landscape, with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and sovereignty.