Ramaphosa Champions a Just Transition for Africa’s Renewable Future at G20 Summit

In a pivotal address at the G20 summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa underscored South Africa’s commitment to a fair and inclusive transition towards renewable energy, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding jobs and livelihoods while embracing a greener economy.

Speaking in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ramaphosa launched the “Leveraging the Potential of Renewables The Road to Johannesburg” campaign, a major initiative aimed at boosting renewable energy in Africa. This global effort aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency and seeks to address poverty, job creation, and climate action in tandem.

“The opportunities are enormous, and we just need to utilise the enablers to ensure it benefits everyone,” Ramaphosa said, urging world leaders to ensure that the transition to renewable energy benefits not only the planet but also the people.

He stressed that South Africa’s energy shift, while essential for combating climate change, must prioritize a “just transition” that protects vulnerable workers and communities dependent on fossil fuels.

The campaign, which was launched in collaboration with Global Citizen and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, brings together over 450 world leaders and innovators to focus on combating climate change and eradicating poverty.

The initiative is aimed at leveraging Africa’s rich renewable resources, including solar, wind, and hydro power, to drive economic growth while promoting sustainable development and energy access across the continent.

Impact on South Africa and Africa’s Market

The campaign’s impact on South Africa’s market is expected to be profound. With South Africa being one of the largest economies in Africa and heavily reliant on coal for its energy needs, the transition to renewable energy presents both challenges and opportunities.

President Ramaphosa’s call for a just transition reflects growing concerns over job losses in the fossil fuel sector, but also highlights the vast economic potential of Africa’s renewable energy sector, which remains largely untapped.

Currently, only 3% of global investments in renewable infrastructure are allocated to Africa. However, the European Commission has set ambitious goals to triple renewable energy investment in the region by 2030.

This influx of investment could bring substantial economic growth, job creation, and energy access, especially for rural areas across South Africa and the broader African continent.

Mpumalanga, home to around 80% of South Africa’s power stations, is already seeing efforts to upskill workers and foster local businesses through partnerships with the World Bank, the Climate Investment Fund, and the Presidential Climate Commission.

These initiatives are designed to ensure that workers from fossil fuel industries are not left behind, equipping them with new skills to thrive in the renewable energy sector.

“Workers should not fear job loss without being skilled in new technologies,” Ramaphosa emphasized.

The efforts to re-skill and upskill the workforce are key to South Africa’s energy transition, and they are expected to serve as a model for other African nations grappling with similar challenges.

Global and Regional Implications

The transition to renewable energy in South Africa and Africa has far-reaching implications beyond the continent.

As President Ramaphosa pointed out, Africa is uniquely positioned with vast renewable resources the continent holds 60% of the world’s best solar sites and abundant wind potential.

Despite this, Africa currently receives only a small fraction of global renewable energy investments.

President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for global solidarity in addressing climate change.

“Africa has all the resources necessary in abundance sun and wind but only 3% of global investments in infrastructure for renewables go to Africa. The task is clear: we must step up,” she stated, underscoring the urgency of bridging the investment gap to ensure that Africa’s renewable energy potential is fully realized.

The launch of the “Leveraging the Potential of Renewables” campaign also ties into South Africa’s leadership role in the G20, where the country will assume the presidency in December 2024.

This will provide a crucial platform for Ramaphosa and other African leaders to advocate for increased funding and technology transfer to support the continent’s energy transition.

As South Africa prepares to take on the G20 Presidency, the focus will be on advocating for a just transition, one that balances economic growth, job security, and climate resilience. Additionally, the upcoming 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) will serve as a critical juncture for South Africa and the global community to collaborate on a sustainable and inclusive future.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between South Africa, the European Commission, and global organizations like Global Citizen signifies a renewed commitment to addressing the climate crisis while advancing socio-economic development.

As South Africa leads the way in the just energy transition, the rest of Africa and the global market will be watching closely, with hopes that the continent can unlock the full potential of its renewable resources, providing energy, jobs, and sustainable growth for generations to come.