Africa’s renewable energy potential is enormous, but converting that potential into reliable electricity requires more than natural resources and ambitious targets. It requires technical expertise, strong institutions and projects capable of attracting investment.
A recent initiative by the African Energy Commission (AFREC) highlights the importance of this often-overlooked dimension of Africa’s energy transition.
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From 1 to 5 September 2026, AFREC brought together about 50 energy professionals from across Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, for training focused on renewable energy project planning, development and financing. The programme was designed to strengthen the ability of African institutions to develop technically sound and financially viable renewable energy projects.
The initiative addresses a fundamental challenge facing the continent: the gap between renewable energy potential and actual project implementation.
Africa has abundant solar, wind, hydro and other renewable resources. Yet potential alone does not generate electricity. Projects must be properly designed, financed, procured, connected to national grids and managed over their lifetimes.
The Lusaka programme therefore covered the full project cycle, including energy planning, resource assessment, site selection, technology choices, grid integration, procurement, financing, regulation and project management. Participants also examined the conditions required to make projects attractive to investors.
This emphasis on project bankability is particularly important. International investors may be interested in Africa’s renewable energy opportunity, but capital tends to flow towards projects with clear regulatory frameworks, credible revenue models, strong technical preparation and predictable investment conditions.
Building this capacity within African institutions can therefore help unlock significantly greater investment.
Zambia provides a useful setting for the initiative. The country has considerable experience with hydropower but is increasingly seeking to diversify its electricity mix through solar and other renewable technologies. Recent power-sector challenges have reinforced the importance of diversification and greater energy resilience.
The programme also demonstrates the value of African peer learning. Rather than relying entirely on external expertise, countries can share lessons from projects, policies and institutions that have already operated within African markets.
This approach can strengthen local ownership of the energy transition.
The benefits extend beyond the power sector. Better renewable energy planning can support industrialisation, agriculture, digital connectivity and small businesses by improving access to reliable electricity.
It can also help countries build stronger pipelines of investment-ready projects, making it easier for development banks, pension funds and private investors to participate.
Africa’s energy transition will ultimately require investment in three areas simultaneously: infrastructure, institutions and people.
Projects require financing, but financing follows credible projects. Credible projects require expertise, effective regulation and institutions capable of managing complex investments.
The recent AFREC programme in Zambia offers a practical example of how Africa can strengthen that foundation. By investing in people who can plan, finance and deliver renewable energy projects, countries can begin closing the gap between ambition and implementation.
Africa does not lack renewable resources. Its next challenge is to build the capacity to turn those resources into bankable projects, reliable electricity and productive economic opportunities.
That is how the continent can move from renewable energy potential to a renewable energy reality.
