Status of the Just Energy Transition in seven southern African states

The report examines the energy landscapes of seven southern African states, highlighting a stark divide between vast renewable energy potential and a continued reliance on fossil fuels or traditional biomass. While most surveyed countries have established renewable energy targets and some have liberalized their energy markets, the transition is often hindered by governance challenges, high rural-urban electricity gaps, and the pursuit of new oil and gas reserves. The document advocates for an 'energy justice' framework to ensure that the shift to low-carbon energy is inclusive, transparent, and protects the rights of marginalized communities and future generations.

• Southern Africa has the lowest electricity access rates globally, with approximately half of the 16 SADC countries reporting access rates below 50% in 2024.
• There are severe disparities in electricity access between urban and rural populations across the assessed states. For example, in Angola, urban access is 76.2% compared to only 7.3% in rural areas; in Mozambique, urban access is 79.4% while rural access declined to 5% in 2022.
• Many countries continue to prioritize fossil fuel expansion despite renewable targets. Botswana remains overwhelmingly dependent on coal (96%), and Mozambique is exploiting substantial gas reserves and building new coal-fired capacity. Namibia and South Africa are also actively pursuing oil and gas projects.
• Large-scale hydropower is a primary focus for several states but is associated with significant social and environmental conflicts. In Angola, the Orokawe dam has been stalled by objections from Indigenous Peoples, and Mozambique's Mphanda Nkuwa project is expected to relocate 1,400 families.
• South Africa is the only surveyed country that has established a dedicated institutional process to oversee a just transition through the Presidential Climate Commission and the Just Transition Framework.
• The region possesses immense untapped renewable potential. This includes solar potential in Zimbabwe where over 70% of land exceeds the world average for generation per unit of installed capacity, and wind potential in Mozambique estimated at 4.5 GW.

APA

Natural Justice (2024). Status of the Just Energy Transition in seven southern African states. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NJ_Just-Energy-Transition-African-States_v4_Handover.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. Status of the Just Energy Transition in seven southern African states. 2024. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NJ_Just-Energy-Transition-African-States_v4_Handover.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=Status of the Just Energy Transition in seven southern African states |date=2024 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NJ_Just-Energy-Transition-African-States_v4_Handover.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2024status, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{Status of the Just Energy Transition in seven southern African states}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2024}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NJ_Just-Energy-Transition-African-States_v4_Handover.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }