From Classrooms to Communities: How African Changemakers Are Reimagining Resource Governance and the Energy Transition

Across Africa, a quiet shift is unfolding. From cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to lithium in Ghana, governments, civil society actors, researchers, and communities are reimagining how the continent’s mineral wealth can drive a cleaner, fairer future. However, navigating the transition calls for good governance, without which the promise of these resources could once again become a source of inequality and missed opportunity.

To help bridge the knowledge gap in extractive governance, NRGI and its regional partners convene annual summer schools in Francophone and Anglophone Africa to strengthen knowledge, build networks, and equip oversight actors to shape more just and equitable transitions.

This year, 51 participants from 16 resource-rich African countries came together in Yaoundé and Accra to explore pressing questions of how Africa can seize opportunities from the energy transition while avoiding past governance pitfalls.

We spoke with two participants—Joël Luaba, a civil society leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lydia Osei, an academic in Ghana—to hear their reflections and perspectives on advancing equitable energy transitions across the continent.

What motivated your engagement in extractive governance, and what kind of work are you doing in this space?

Joël Luaba: I am an economist and a private and judicial law expert. I currently coordinate Action pour la Bonne Gouvernance (ABG), a civil society organization in the DRC that promotes transparency, justice, and anti-corruption in the extractive sector. My work involves supporting young people in understanding and engaging with governance issues, particularly through initiatives like the “Bozwi ya Ekolo: competition, which encourages university students to utilize mining and tax data in their research. The primary objective is to raise awareness and spark debate on how our mineral wealth can truly support a sustainable energy future. I am also involved in analyzing issues related to the extractive sector and support the EITI process in the DRC.   

Lydia Osei: I am an academic with a research focus on the intersection between natural resource governance and development. My work examines how extraction influences the livelihoods of youth, gender dynamics, and community well-being in Ghana’s mining regions. I have published extensively on youth engagement in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Ghana, exposing several dynamics within the sector. Beyond research, I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in natural resource management, regional geography, and resource analysis. I also supervise theses that explore the nuances of extractive industries across sub-Saharan Africa. For me, building students’ understanding of governance frameworks and the social dimension of extraction is a way to cultivate the next generation of informed oversight actors.

We often talk about the energy transition in technical terms. What does a just energy transition mean to you in your national context?

JL: A just energy transition in the DRC means ensuring that all citizens benefit equitably from the shift toward renewable energy. It’s about reducing dependence on fossil fuels, creating sustainable jobs and improving the living conditions of local communities. This kind of transition must be participatory. It must consider consultations with (potentially) affected populations, the integration of traditional knowledge, and the implementation of policies that guarantee energy access to all, particularly in rural areas.  

LO: As Joel mentioned, in Ghana, a just transition also means shifting to renewable energy in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and accessible. As society transitions, we should be mindful of who benefits from the shift and how that shapes society. Equity, access, and jobs must sit at the heart of our transition plans. We also need strong leadership and inclusive policy design that integrates local perspectives into national frameworks.

What governance challenges must your country address to ensure that the transition is fair and sustainable?

JL: For the DRC, the most urgent challenge is transparency in natural resource management. Without it, corruption thrives and citizens do not get their fair share of resource benefits. Building strong and independent institutions as well as involving civil society in the decision-making process are crucial steps towards achieving this goal.  

LO: Ghana has made progress through its Green Minerals Policy and broader reforms, but one urgent governance gap it needs to address is transparency and accountability in the licensing and contracting system for both energy and transition minerals. If we fail to strengthen these systems, we risk undermining the integrity of the entire transition process. A transparent, enforceable, and equitable fiscal regime would ensure that revenues from transition minerals support sustainable development rather than deepen inequality, environmental damage and financial malpractices.

How do you see civil society, academia, and communities contributing to this agenda?

JL: Civil society organizations serve as a bridge between communities and the government, advocating for fair policies, monitoring extractive operations, and raising awareness about human rights and governance standards. We also help hold companies and governments accountable, ensuring that their actions align with public interest and environmental protection.

LO: Academia complements this by generating independent, evidence-based research on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of extractive industries. My role involves developing frameworks and policy recommendations that support just, inclusive, and transparent governance models, especially in resource-rich communities, participating in policy dialogues, and providing technical assistance to oversight institutions. I also engage in capacity development, training the next generation of resource governance professionals. 

What change would you make in your country’s transition journey to ensure it leaves no one behind?

JL: I would focus on empowering communities through training and entrepreneurship in renewable energy. When local people have the skills and means to participate in new green industries, the transition becomes inclusive and sustainable. Energy access for all, especially marginalized groups, should remain a central priority.

LO: In Ghana, I would prioritize the establishment of a Just Energy Transition Framework anchored in community ownership and benefit sharing. Such a framework would ensure that the economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of the transition are fairly distributed, especially among vulnerable groups and communities impacted by extraction.

What stood out to you during the summer school experience?

JL: The Francophone summer school was a space for rich learning and exchange. It deepened my understanding of the challenges facing the DRC and the opportunities that the energy transition presents. I gained a better understanding of the role I must play in highlighting the opportunities of transition minerals.

LO: Participating in the Anglophone summer school was a transformative experience that deepened both my academic understanding and personal commitment to sustainability. Learning directly from case studies where local voices shaped project outcomes helped me appreciate the importance of inclusive decision-making. The diverse perspectives among participants enriched discussions and encouraged collaborative thinking, strengthening my interest in pursuing solutions that balance development with environmental justice.