The South African government stated on Tuesday (17th) that Africa should not have to choose between industrialization and decarbonization, but rather pursue both in balance, using the continent’s available resources — among them, Mozambique’s natural gas, which was highlighted as one of the pillars for ensuring affordable energy and driving economic development.
The position was presented by South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, during his opening address at the 2025 Africa Energy Forum, held in Cape Town.
“We will not accept the false dilemma between decarbonization and industrialization. The energy transition must support — not hinder — Africa’s aspirations,” the minister stressed.
Ramokgopa recalled that 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, a situation the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aims to reverse by ensuring universal access by 2063 — with an interim goal of bringing electricity to an additional 300 million people by 2030.
To achieve these objectives, the minister highlighted the potential of renewable sources such as hydro and solar, but emphasized that natural gas from Mozambique and Namibia will be crucial as a transition energy — capable of providing supply stability while clean production capacity is expanded.
The South African government representative criticized the continent’s excessive dependence on external financing and advocated for investment strategies embedded within national development plans, as well as greater integration of regional power grids, to reduce costs and enable smaller countries, like Mozambique, to maximize their energy export potential.
“If the right reforms are adopted, Africa can become a global energy hub, combining sustainable industrialization with clean sources. For this, we need regional coordination, harmonized legislation, and hybrid financing models to make projects viable,” Ramokgopa stressed.
In Mozambique’s case, its role as a natural gas supplier and its capacity to scale up renewable energy projects place the country in a strategic position to contribute to the goal of universal electrification — a priority shared by several African Union member states.
The 2025 Africa Energy Forum gathered governments, businesses, and development partners to discuss joint solutions to accelerate energy access and the green transition across the region.
Source: Engineering News
