The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has officially opened the 3rd Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA 2025) in Accra, welcoming delegates from across the continent and the global renewable energy community.
The high-level forum brings together investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss emerging opportunities, promote investments, and strengthen strategies aimed at accelerating Africa’s transition to clean and sustainable energy.
In his address, Mr. Jinapor underscored Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, noting that the continent holds 60 percent of the world’s solar resources yet continues to grapple with widespread energy poverty. “This must change,” he said, calling for bold leadership, strategic collaboration, and innovative partnerships among governments, the private sector, and local communities.
The minister highlighted Ghana’s own decisive steps toward a cleaner energy future. He announced that the country’s US$3.4 billion renewable energy programme is expected to deliver 1,400MW of clean power, construct 400 mini-grids, expand e-mobility infrastructure with more than 100 fast chargers, and boost agricultural productivity through solar-powered irrigation. The initiative will also support value addition across the mineral processing chain.
These interventions, he noted, build on major projects already underway, including Africa’s largest 16.8MW rooftop solar installation and a new 200MW solar facility, with a long-term goal of scaling solar capacity to 1,000MW by 2032.
Mr. Jinapor stressed that tackling energy poverty and climate vulnerability demands ambition, determination, and collective commitment. He urged stakeholders to deepen partnerships and champion an energy transition that empowers communities, boosts economic growth, and positions Africa as a global leader in clean energy development.
