Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called for urgent reforms in Africa’s energy sector, urging the continent to accelerate efforts toward building an integrated power market capable of driving industrialisation and economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the opening ceremony of the Africa Energy Technology Conference 2026 in Accra, Debrah challenged African leaders and regional blocs to eliminate barriers hindering cross-border energy trade and infrastructure development.
According to him, Africa’s economic transformation cannot be achieved without reliable and accessible energy systems that support businesses, industries, and innovation.
“The pace of our energy economic development and investment is too slow. We must shift to high-speed growth immediately,” he stated.
Debrah also pledged to champion a continental energy integration agenda aimed at making electricity and energy resources more accessible across Africa.
“I will lead a crusade until energy becomes Africa’s most traded commodity, not constrained by borders but enabled by bridges,” he declared to applause from delegates.
The conference also featured a major announcement from Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who disclosed government plans to deploy more than 1,000 megawatts of emergency power to stabilise Ghana’s energy sector and address the country’s electricity deficit.
Jinapor noted that energy poverty remains one of Africa’s biggest development challenges, revealing that nearly 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity, while millions more do not have clean cooking solutions.
He warned that unreliable power supply continues to affect industrial productivity, discourage investment, and limit opportunities for young people.
The Minister further emphasised the need for African countries to prioritise local expertise and homegrown solutions in addressing the continent’s energy challenges.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation, Farid Ghezali, urged African governments to move beyond rhetoric by implementing practical energy projects capable of creating jobs and expanding industrial capacity.
He also called for stronger internal financing systems to reduce Africa’s dependence on foreign funding for oil, gas, and infrastructure development.
The Africa Energy Technology Conference 2026 concludes today, Thursday, May 21, with discussions expected to focus on energy security, investment opportunities, and Africa’s long-term energy transition agenda.
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