CoRE Co-organizes Roundtable Discussion on Africa’s Energy Future in Blantyre, Malawi

In October 2024, the CoRE co-organized a pivotal roundtable discussion in Blantyre, Malawi, bringing together academics, policymakers, and civil society representatives to address the energy challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite significant attention from both national governments and international organizations, the region continues to grapple with slow and inconsistent progress in improving energy access.

The workshop underscored the urgent need to tackle energy security in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on Malawi. While efforts have been made to improve electricity access, the data paints a stark picture of a region that remains substantially behind other parts of the world. The pace of population growth in Sub-Saharan Africa has far outstripped the progress made in electrification, leaving many areas still struggling to meet basic energy needs.

The stakeholders and scholars involved in the discussion identified three key areas critical to improving energy security:

• The Production and Usage of Charcoal: The widespread reliance on charcoal for cooking and energy needs continues to contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation in the region. Finding sustainable alternatives to charcoal remains a significant challenge.
• Electricity Generation, Distribution, and Access: Despite efforts to expand the electricity grid, many regions still lack reliable access to power. The discussion explored how to increase efficiency in electricity generation and distribution to ensure more widespread and equitable access to electricity.
• Increasing Investments in Renewable Energy: The roundtable emphasized the importance of accelerating investments in renewable energy solutions, such as solar and wind, to reduce dependence on costly and environmentally damaging oil imports.

By convening a diverse group of stakeholders, the roundtable discussion provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and potential solutions to Africa’s energy challenges. This event highlighted the critical need for a coordinated, multi-sector approach to address energy insecurity and accelerate progress toward sustainable and equitable energy solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.