The cost of delay: Africa’s energy transition is being decided elsewhere

The statement contends that Africa's reliance on fossil fuels leaves its communities vulnerable to external shocks, such as the economic ripple effects of the US-Iran war. It advocates for the implementation of existing frameworks like the African Single Electricity System and the African Union Green Minerals Strategy to achieve energy sovereignty and justice, arguing that transitioning to net-zero is more cost-effective than enduring the costs of global energy instability.

• African communities are currently suffering the economic consequences of the US-Iran war through volatile oil prices, which impact local transport, the transportation of goods, and access to fertilisers. In Zimbabwe, this has manifested as a 70% increase in transport costs for workers, while in South Africa, it has led to the panic-buying of diesel and petrol.
• The document asserts that transitioning to net-zero is more economical than bearing the costs associated with the US-Israel led war on Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies. It argues against the pursuit of local or alternative oil and gas, citing the environmental damage seen in Nigeria and the political instability observed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela.
• Africa possesses the necessary resources and frameworks to establish a sovereign energy system, including over 30% of the world's critical minerals and the labor capacity for renewable energy manufacturing. Key foundational plans identified include the African Single Electricity System, the African Renewable Energy Initiative, and the African Union Green Minerals Strategy.
• The document highlights a systemic injustice where fossil fuel companies maintain profit margins by passing increased costs to the poorest consumers, while continuing to benefit from subsidies.

APA

Martens, C. (2026). The cost of delay: Africa’s energy transition is being decided elsewhere. Natural Justice. https://naturaljustice.org/the-cost-of-delay-africas-energy-transition-is-being-decided-elsewhere/

Chicago

Martens, Claire. The cost of delay: Africa’s energy transition is being decided elsewhere. Natural Justice, 2026. https://naturaljustice.org/the-cost-of-delay-africas-energy-transition-is-being-decided-elsewhere/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Martens |first1=Claire |title=The cost of delay: Africa’s energy transition is being decided elsewhere |publisher=Natural Justice |date=11 May 2026 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/the-cost-of-delay-africas-energy-transition-is-being-decided-elsewhere/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{martens2026cost, author = {Martens, Claire}, title = {{The cost of delay: Africa’s energy transition is being decided elsewhere}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/the-cost-of-delay-africas-energy-transition-is-being-decided-elsewhere/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }