Focus turns to building stronger institutions in Africa to speed shift to renewable energy
Experts argue that Africa's transition to renewable energy now depends more on building robust regulatory and institutional frameworks than on technology alone. A new $285 million initiative by Bloomberg Philanthropies aims to support these systemic improvements to accelerate clean energy deployment.
Why it matters
Addressing institutional bottlenecks is critical for providing electricity to the 600 million people in Africa currently lacking access, while meeting global climate goals.
A shepherd watches livestock near Khi Solar One, a solar thermal plant that converts the sun's light energy into electricity, outside Upington, South Africa, in the Northern Cape province, Aug. 29, 2025. Credit: AP/Themba Hadebe
NAIROBI, Kenya — Africa’s biggest clean energy challenge is shifting from building projects to building the institutions, markets and regulatory systems needed to deliver them at scale, experts say.
That challenge is emerging even as clean energy reaches a historic milestone globally. Renewables generated 34% of the world’s electricity in 2025, overtaking coal’s 33% share. Together with nuclear power, renewables are expected to provide half of global electricity by 2030.
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