The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has called for greater investment in Africa’s solar energy value chain, urging the continent to move beyond installing solar systems to developing local manufacturing and production capacity.
He made the call at the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly, where he delivered the opening remarks for a discussion on the theme, “Global Solar: Then, Now and Next.”
Dr Jinapor said energy self-sufficiency had become a strategic necessity amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions in global energy markets.
He noted that recent developments had exposed the risks associated with excessive dependence on imported fuels, particularly for countries seeking to secure reliable and affordable energy supplies.
For Africa, he said, solar energy presented an important opportunity to strengthen energy security, reduce external dependence and build more resilient economies.
The Minister outlined some of Ghana’s efforts to expand the use of solar energy, including the installation of solar streetlights, promotion of rooftop solar systems and policies to transition critical public installations to solar power.
He, however, stressed that the continent’s ambitions should extend beyond deploying solar technologies to developing the entire value chain.
According to him, Africa must position itself not only as a consumer of solar products but also as a producer and creator of value within the global renewable energy industry.
Dr Jinapor identified technology transfer, the development of local industrial capacity and access to affordable long-term financing as critical requirements for building a competitive African solar industry.
He said these interventions would enable African countries to harness their abundant sunshine to support industrialisation, create jobs and strengthen economic resilience.
The Minister maintained that solar energy could play a significant role in advancing energy sovereignty and reducing the continent’s exposure to external energy market shocks.
He urged stakeholders to seize the opportunities offered by solar energy to build stronger domestic industries and secure a more sustainable energy future for Africa.
