Africa’s Green Energy Transition Must Put Workers First

Africa’s trade union movement has called for a green energy transition that delivers jobs, affordable electricity and stronger protection for workers and communities.

The Second New Energy for Africa Convening, organised by the International Trade Union Confederation-Africa (ITUC-Africa), brought workers’ representatives, international partners and energy stakeholders together in Nairobi, Kenya, for three days.

A central message emerged from the discussions: Africa’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy must become more than a climate response. With more than 600 million people across the continent still without electricity, participants said the energy transition should also drive industrialisation, create decent jobs, provide fair wages and expand social protection.

ITUC-Africa General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie said Africa must find ways to industrialise without worsening environmental damage and the climate crisis.

“Industrialisation is central to our liberation and development,” he said, calling for investment in technology, skills, infrastructure and financing.

Odigie also stressed that industrial growth must improve people’s daily lives. “If our people cannot enjoy these basic necessities,” he asked, “then what kind of prosperity are we really talking about?”

The union body is also pushing for stronger public energy systems through its Reclaim and Restore campaign. Odigie pointed to Finland, where public and private participation exists alongside a strong government role in the energy sector.

Deputy President Rose Omamo said the just energy transition must be judged by more than electricity connections or renewable power generation. She said Africa must ask who owns and finances infrastructure, who benefits and whether investments create decent jobs.

The labour movement also wants Africa to process more of its critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, copper, graphite and rare earth elements. Instead of exporting raw materials, the continent should use them to support local processing, manufacturing, skills development and employment.

Omamo welcomed the COP30 agreement on a global Just Transition Mechanism but called for practical support through finance, technology, skills and institutions.

As Africa approaches COP31, ITUC-Africa says the green energy transition must create decent work, protect communities, expand affordable power and give African countries greater control over their resources.

Can Africa turn its clean-energy resources into lasting prosperity for workers and communities?