Powering Africa's Future: How Youth Can Drive the Green Energy Revolution

Africa faces a pivotal moment: a rapidly growing youth population and the urgent need to address climate change. These challenges present a unique opportunity for a green energy revolution that can drive sustainable development and create millions of jobs. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7—ensuring affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all—opens doors to a dynamic green economy, where young Africans can play a leading role

Globally, 666 million people still lack access to electricity with eighteen out of the top twenty access-deficit countries being in Sub-Saharan Africa. Accelerated action to achieve SDG 7 and global energy goals have resulted in a surge in demand for clean energy solutions and energy efficiency measures. The International Energy Agency predicts over 30 million jobs in clean energy, energy efficiency, and low-emissions technologies by 2030, a massive opportunity for African youth.

The Green Economy is Growing: Are Youth Ready?

The energy access, energy efficiency and sustainable cooling sectors are experiencing rapid growth. Take the sustainable cooling market, for instance, which is projected to more than double to $600 billion annually in developing economies by 2050. This growth is generating new business and employment opportunities, with roles such as sustainability analysts, energy efficiency specialists, cold chain developers, and cooling managers among the fastest-growing positions.

However, a critical challenge remains: the demand for workers with green skills exceeds the available supply. Energy auditors, environmental engineers, and solar technicians are in high demand, but only 13% of the workforce possesses the skills required for a meaningful green transition. This skills gap highlights the urgent need for youth upskilling and targeted career support.

“Cooling the Planet: Jobs in Energy Efficiency & Cold Chain Solutions”

To address these challenges, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Shortlist Futures launched a webinar series, “Activating Africa’s Green Economy Through Youth Employment.” The first session, “Cooling the Planet: Jobs in Energy Efficiency & Cold Chain Solutions,” explored opportunities within energy access and energy efficiency, looking at careers in sub-sectors like cold storage, cooling technologies, cooling in healthcare, and sustainable agriculture, offering labor market insights and practical guidance.

Elizabeth Wangeci-Chege (Energy Efficiency & Cooling Specialist, SEforALL) emphasized the transformative power of energy efficiency, underscoring its potential to create jobs, foster sustainable economies, and accelerate progress towards SDG 7. She highlighted the significant energy loss in buildings and appliances, stressing the shortage of skilled energy auditors. Elizabeth also advocated for government-led initiatives, including green procurement standards and mandatory energy efficiency regulations, to generate more green jobs.

Denis Karema (Founder & CEO, SokoFresh) encouraged youth to identify unsolved problems in growing sectors. He stressed the importance of understanding supply chains and leveraging external support. Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala (Co-Founder of CoolCycle, Youth Sustainable Development Network) echoed this, advising youth to deeply understand people's needs through consistent stakeholder engagement. She shared a compelling case study of CoolCycle, a project from insights gained during a solar irrigation project, that addresses post-harvest losses and electricity access issues for farmers by providing energy as a service. This initiative not only reduces carbon emissions by repurposing end-of-life diesel generator casings and utilizing solar energy but also significantly improves farmers’ livelihoods, demonstrating the powerful impact of youth-led innovation.

Speakers like Dwayne Asembo (Project Manager, Shortlist Futures) highlighted the importance of financial literacy and soft skills, such as time management, communication, and adaptability. They noted that financial professionals are crucial for building investor trust and ensuring the sustainability of green ventures.

Taking the Next Step in Energy Careers

For young people, the path forward is clear: invest in green skills; explore careers in energy efficiency, cold chain solutions, and sustainable agriculture; and seek both technical and soft skills. SEforALL’s career guide is a valuable starting resource: https://www.seforall.org/careersguide. Embrace entrepreneurship by identifying market gaps and innovating, particularly in areas like cold storage, energy efficient appliances, and sustainable food systems. There is immense scope to build solutions that address Africa's unique challenges and opportunities.

Crucially, build a strong network through partnership and collaboration, and foster sustainable relationships over time. Engage with organizations like Shortlist Futures and SEforALL, and connect with industry leaders and mentors who are eager to empower youth towards a shared sustainable energy future. Connect with Mission Efficiency to access learning resources and contribute to global energy efficiency initiatives at https://missionefficiency.org/.

Youth can also access Africa’s largest climate careers job board, https://climatejobs.shortlist.net/companies, hosted by Shortlist Futures, to find exciting opportunities and set alerts for roles in energy and cooling from across the continent.

Creating an Enabling Environment

Policymakers, industry leaders, and investors must support policies that enable youth employment and entrepreneurship in the green economy. Investing in skills development and mentorship programmes is vital. Collaborative efforts are needed to create clear pathways for youth participation in the energy transition.

Empowering young Africans with the right skills and fostering a supportive environment will position the continent to lead the global green transition, benefiting everyone and building a sustainable energy future.

SEforALL & Shortlist Futures will host two additional webinars in July and August. Stay updated on their social media channels for more information.

SEforALL: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok

Shortlist Futures: LinkedIn