From Deployment to Industrialization: Green Technology Innovation, Youth Employment and Industrial Competitiveness in Africa (Future of Energy Conference)

Africa’s transition to a greener economy presents an opportunity not only to expand access to clean technologies, but also to create jobs, build competitive industries and strengthen local technological capabilities.

Across emerging green sectors, young Africans are already playing a central role. Youth account for an estimated 81 percent of Kenya’s e-mobility workforce and 82 percent of Nigeria’s solar mini-grid workforce. Yet much of the technology and financing underpinning these sectors continues to come from outside the continent. Up to 85 percent of components used in Nigeria’s solar mini-grid sector are imported, while Kenya’s e-mobility sector has attracted approximately USD 50 million in financing against estimated needs of up to USD 8.9 billion.

These gaps raise an important question: How can African countries move from deploying green technologies to building the industries, skills and innovation ecosystems needed to produce, adapt and scale them locally?

On the sidelines of the Future of Energy Conference 2026, the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI), the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) will convene policymakers, financiers, researchers and industry leaders for a discussion on strengthening Africa’s green technology and innovation ecosystems.

Speakers

• Serwah Prempeh, Senior Fellow and Head of Just Green Technology Transition Programme, Africa Policy Research Institute
• Chibuikem Agbaegbu, Senior Climate and Energy Fellow
• Patrick Stephenson, Ghana Country Manager, NRGI
• Anaporka Adazabra, Co-Founder, Farmio
• Rasheeda Seghosime, Senior Project Leader, Open Capital