A Just Energy Transition for Africa

This episode discusses the challenges associated with the transition to a net-zero future in Africa. Presently, more than 600 million people across the continent lack access to electricity, and many African countries are reliant on fossil fuels for economic development. At the same time, Africa only accounts for 2-3% of global carbon emissions. This reality means that the transition to a cleaner economy may impose an acute burden on people living in Africa. 

Our host, Ujunwa Ojemeni, is joined by Professor Sir Dieter Helm of the University of Oxford and Fatma Lucy Nyambura of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to discuss how to ensure this energy transition is inclusive and just for all Africans. 

Professor Helm is a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford, a Fellow in Economics at New College, and an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Blavatnik School of Government. Previously, Professor Helm was a member of the Economics Advisory Group to the British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and is the author of acclaimed books The Carbon Crunch (2012) and Natural Capital: Valuing The Planet (2016), Burn Out (2017), and Net Zero (2021), among others. 

Fatma Lucy Nyambura is a Policy Officer at the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), focusing on commodity trading and state-owned enterprises transparency. Her work entails development and implementation of policies to increase the disclosure of oil, gas, and minerals sales and purchases. Prior to joining the EITI, Nyambura worked in development consulting in Ghana, Georgia, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Nyambura is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Certified Public Secretary. 

This episode is hosted by Ujunwa Ojemeni and produced by Read Leask. Our executive producers are Livey Beha and Read Leask. To keep up with the latest on our episodes, follow us on Twitter @oxfordpolicypod and on Instagram @oxfordpolicypod_.