John Jinapor is the Minister of Energy and Green Transition
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has made a passionate appeal for Africa to take decisive steps toward financial independence in the energy sector, highlighting the need to reduce the continent’s dependence on external financing riddled with unfavorable conditions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the minister advocated for the immediate operationalisation of the Africa Energy Bank, a continental financial institution expected to play a pivotal role in de-risking and funding major energy infrastructure projects.
“To tap the resource potential of Africa, we need capital. We can no longer rely solely on external financing riddled with conditions, distortions and colonial echoes. We must develop our own financial market one that de-risk local projects, back big ticket energy infrastructure and retain value in the continent. The full operationalization of the Africa Energy Bank must be a top priority,” he said.
According to him, the establishment and full operationalisation of the Africa Energy Bank would mark a significant shift in how African nations approach energy development.
“The bank, once fully functional, would serve as a strategic institution capable of mobilizing domestic capital, mitigating investment risks, and ensuring that a greater portion of value generated by energy projects remains within African economies,” he mentioned.
The AETC 2025 brought together policymakers, investors, and technology leaders to explore pathways for accelerating Africa’s energy transition while ensuring economic sustainability.
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