On July 18th, 2024, during the hottest month of the year globally, 350Africa.org and partners launched REPower Afrika—an ambitious campaign uniting regional community renewable energy projects to urge financiers and governments across the world to prioritize and increase investments in affordable, reliable and clean energy. Africa is disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change, with 17 out of the 20 countries most threatened by climate impacts located on the continent.
Recent severe weather events, including severe droughts in Southern Africa and heavy rains in Tanzania, Kenya, and Burundi have caused food shortages, fatalities, and displacement. Despite these alarming trends, plans to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), continue to threaten both people and the planet.
The REPower Afrika campaign showcases the power and potential of community-led efforts igniting a renewable energy movement across the continent. Communities are standing up against harmful fossil fuels and demonstrating that renewable energy is a viable, equitable alternative. These efforts are fuelling hope for an energy-secure future and freedom from worsening climate impacts.
Urgent Call for Renewable Energy Investment and Policy Support
For Africa to realize a just transition to renewable energy, significant investment from financial institutions and developed nations is essential and urgent. African governments must create an enabling framework, enacting policies and regulations that facilitate the deployment of renewable energy and attract substantial investments.
Renewable energy is not only a sustainable choice but also a driver of economic development. While fossil fuel projects like EACOP are projected to create 200-300 jobs in Uganda, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) projects that renewable energy could generate 400,000 to 1.5 million jobs in East Africa by 2050.
Through the REPower Afrika campaign, communities in the EACOP region (Uganda and Tanzania) are showcasing the potential of renewable energy. Solar installations in communities along the EACOP pipeline are improving people’s lives, providing light for children to study but also developing green jobs and enhanced energy access whilst protecting the environment.
REPower Afrika is advocating for a future where renewable energy powers our communities, protects our environment, and promotes social and economic well-being. Ten (10) gatherings will be taking place across Uganda and Tanzania, with solidarity actions taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria.
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