Industrialisation, energy transition and economic sovereignty are shaping Africa’s push for sustainable transformation. Driven by the Africa Finance Corporation, major projects are emerging across the continent, centred on long-term infrastructure, industrial investment and energy access. One of the clearest symbols of this momentum is the acquisition of Lekela Power by Infinity Power, now Africa’s largest renewable-energy company dedicated exclusively to clean power, extending electricity access to more than one million households. The drive comes as more than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity, according to the International Energy Agency.
As energy demand and industrial needs rise, Africa is advancing a more balanced development model combining renewable energy expansion, oil and gas development and industrial transformation. According to the Africa Finance Corporation, domestic capital pools have grown from 4 trillion USD to 4.4 trillion USD, including about 600 billion USD in pension funds and 400 billion USD in insurance assets, reflecting rising but underused financing capacity. The institution also estimates more than 9 trillion USD in undeveloped mineral resources, with much of it still exported in raw form, limiting local value addition and job creation.
The Africa we build is something that is a choice that we make. We have the resources, we have the people, We have growing capital pools. We just need to ensure that these growing capital pools are building infrastructure, building industry that create jobs for the young, growing African population.
Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO, Africa Finance Corporation – Nigeria
Energy remains a central element of this transition: the continent holds nearly 60% of the world’s solar potential, but infrastructure gaps persist, leaving more than 600 million people without electricity, according to the International Energy Agency. These constraints are increasingly steering investment towards integrated energy systems, designed to support both industrialisation and population growth. Beyond renewable energy, with Africa accounting for less than 3% of global energy-related emissions, the continent is pursuing a diversified energy strategy, notably through the exploitation of hydrocarbons, in order to meet growing demand and support industrial growth. Increasing value added, expanding access to energy and improving industrial capacity are seen as key drivers for converting Africa’s resources into sustainable economic growth and large-scale job creation.
We have abundant minerals on the continent, over $30 trillion of minerals on the continent in the ground with about 9%– sorry, $9 trillion not yet even developed. we have to be thinking of developing them differently. We can’t just be exporting raw materials. We have to focus on how we can capture and retain value, how we can ensure that In that process, we’re creating jobs. We’re no longer exporting jobs and importing inflation. We must not lose the opportunity of processing these vast resources that we have to create jobs.
Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO, Africa Finance Corporation – Nigeria
It is worth noting that, spearheaded by the Africa Finance Corporation, major projects are emerging across the continent, focusing on long-term infrastructure, industrial investment and access to energy. One of the most telling symbols of this momentum is the acquisition of Lekela Power by Infinity Power, now Africa’s largest renewable energy company, entirely dedicated to clean energy and having provided access to electricity for over a million households.
