Africa’s climate diplomacy has historically focused on climate justice, with priorities including adaptation finance, disaster risk reduction and compensation for loss and damage. While these remain essential, they may not be enough to secure the economic opportunities emerging from the global energy transition. In this new policy brief, Why Africa’s Long-Standing Bargain at COP May Not Deliver the Economic Transformation We Need from the Energy Transition, Mohammed Saani Osman and Kodzo Yaotse examine Africa’s limited participation in global clean energy manufacturing despite its rich critical mineral resources and growing investments in renewable energy.

The brief argues that Africa must broaden its priorities in global climate negotiations to place greater emphasis on industrial development, domestic value addition and participation in clean energy value chains. It identifies three key priorities for Africa’s engagement at COP: climate finance for industrial development, policy space for value addition and industrialisation, and technology transfer to build productive capacity.

Download the policy brief to explore the findings and recommendations for repositioning Africa in the global energy transition.