Standing before a global audience at the 2025 Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, leaders from Kenya and Sierra Leone shared a vision for Africa’s clean energy future—one where reliable, affordable electricity transforms lives and protects the planet.
Both countries are charting ambitious paths toward sustainability: Kenya is aiming for 100% clean energy by 2030, while Sierra Leone is prioritizing energy access and climate resilience. But behind these big goals lie real struggles—expanding power to rural communities, attracting investment, and overcoming policy roadblocks.
Kenya’s Ambitious 100% Clean Energy Goal by 2030
Kenya has set an ambitious target: to achieve 100% clean energy by 2030. Currently, 76% of the population has access to electricity, with renewable sources such as geothermal and wind power at the forefront.
“We are investing $465 million in last-mile electrification projects, supported by the African Development Bank, World Bank, and European Investment Bank,” said Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Energy. He highlighted Kenya’s ongoing efforts to reform its energy sector, which includes unbundling the electricity market and implementing cost-reflective tariffs through the Energy Act of 2019. This is aimed at attracting private investment to expand clean energy infrastructure.
Despite this progress, Wachira acknowledged the challenge of providing energy access to Kenya’s off-grid regions, especially those in arid and semi-arid areas that account for 72% of the country’s landmass. To address this, he stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in expanding the grid and developing decentralized renewable energy solutions.
Sierra Leone’s Renewables and Climate Resilience Push
Sierra Leone, where only about 32% of the population has electricity, is looking to tap into its vast potential for hydropower and solar energy to provide affordable and reliable electricity. The country is working with international development partners to accelerate investment in solar mini-grids and hydroelectric projects.
“Sierra Leone has enormous untapped hydropower and solar potential. We need innovative financing to scale these projects,” said Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chair of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security.
Yumkella, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and founder of Sustainable Energy for All, also pointed to the link between energy access and economic growth, particularly in sectors like agriculture and healthcare. Reliable electricity, he noted, could improve the lives of rural communities and boost local economies.
The Bigger Picture: Africa’s Energy Investment Gap
Despite efforts by countries like Kenya and Sierra Leone, Africa attracts just 3% of global energy investment—a stark reminder of the financial barriers slowing the continent’s clean energy transition.
At the Berlin summit, experts stressed that change is possible—with new financing models, stable policies, and technological innovation. Africa’s future energy landscape will depend on how quickly countries can bridge the investment gap and create conditions for growth.
