Clean Energy Transitions in the Sahel

Clean Energy Transitions In The Sahel

About this report

Africa’s energy future matters to the world. That is why the International Energy Agency (IEA) is substantially expanding its engagement in African countries and with African regional partners. Since 2019, the IEA has initiated a programme of work in the form of enhanced institutional engagement, as well as an increase in technical activities in support of the energy strategies and objectives of African countries.

The IEA aims to support African countries with their transformative energy sector priorities and the implementation of clean energy transitions in the region by sharing expertise to enhance data, inform decision-making and guide policy implementation. This engagement takes place in coordination with local, regional and other international entities. The aim is to support a sustainable and an accelerated regional energy system transformation using a varied mix of technologies, in order to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), promote increased energy security and affordability, and accelerate the development of clean energy systems across Africa. As the Covid-19 crisis continues to affect economies and energy systems across the world, the IEA aims to support African countries in their efforts to stimulate economic recovery from the crisis in which the energy sector transformation plays a catalytic role.

Building on this framework, this report identifies pathways and makes recommendations to accelerate clean energy transitions in six Sahelian countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal). Its aim is to take stock of current energy trends in the Sahel and illustrate policy-relevant best practices that can help speedily advance energy access, energy sector development and the transition of the region’s energy systems towards the use of ever-cleaner sources. The report highlights key policy recommendations and opportunities to help policy makers build future energy systems based on clean, affordable and efficient energy sources and practices.

The IEA will present this report’s findings during a virtual regional event on 30 September 2021. The event will convene regional policy makers and stakeholders for an exchange on pathways, best practices, success stories, lessons learned and recommendations to accelerate clean energy transitions in the Sahel. The event seeks to foster enhanced political will for ambitious clean energy transitions and to promote robust interregional stakeholder dialogues that will inform and guide national policy makers in their quest to implement high-impact policies in their respective countries.

This report is part of a wider IEA initiative that seeks to foster efforts towards advancing clean energy transitions in Africa by enhancing regional energy sector collaboration. The initiative covers three regions – North Africa, the Horn and the Sahel – with reports taking stock of energy sector conditions and proposing pathways for accelerated transformation, and with technical workshops.

This research and analysis are supported through the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme, with particular thanks to the contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.