I had the pleasure of visiting Botswana to participate in Innovation & Capital Investment Week (ICIW 2026) and engage with government and stakeholders on how renewable energy can support the country’s economic transformation. In my keynote at the Mining & Energy Innovation Forum, I emphasized a central message: Africa’s renewable energy transition must also be an economic transformation strategy. The question is not only how many megawatts we install, but what we build with them—productive agriculture, competitive industries, mineral beneficiation, E- transport, enterprises, jobs and regional trade. This was reinforced in my discussion with I met with Mr. Joel Ramaphoi, Permanent Secretary of Trade and Innovation, and his team. We discussed Botswana’s ambition to move toward an entrepreneurship- and innovation-driven economy, including opportunities around renewable energy, critical-mineral value addition, e-mobility and local manufacturing, and the importance of turning investment into enterprises, jobs and competitive regional value chains. Similarly in my discussion with Hon. Motsamai, Assistant Minister of Lands and Agriculture, where we explored opportunities linking renewable energy with irrigation, livestock water supply, agro-processing, storage and climate-smart agriculture. The priority now is implementation through developing bankable projects, mobilizing private investment and connecting renewable-energy opportunities with Botswana’s broader economic transformation agenda. Through the REN21 Renewable Energy Champions Initiative, I look forward to continuing this government-led, peer-to-peer engagement and supporting Botswana’s journey towards a truly renewables-based economy. My appreciation to the Government of Botswana, Thrive Development Initiative and the ICIW 2026 organisers for the constructive engagement. #RenewableEnergy #RenewablesBasedEconomy #Botswana #Africa #EnergyTransition #EconomicTransformation #REN21

There's something powerful about hosting #Innovate4Cities on the African continent for the first time.  As a former Energy Minister, I've seen firsthand the gap between global climate commitments and what actually happens on the ground in cities. At #I4C26 as a REN21 Renewable Energy Champion, I'm sharing how renewable energy can anchor the transformative and resilient local economies our cities urgently need—and listening just as much as I speak. Africa's cities have an extraordinary opportunity to lead the next chapter of the global energy transition using renewables as a backbone and conversations like these help turn ambition into action. Seeing and contributing to the development of #Addis Ababa move from just a handful of EVs a few years ago to more than 120,000 today reinforced a lesson I've learned throughout my career: when national policy, city leadership, and innovation align, transformation can happen remarkably fast My three key takeaways: ·       Cities are where energy and climate transitions become real. National ambitions only succeed when local governments have the tools, financing and partnerships to implement them. ·       Energy security, economic development and climate action are no longer separate agendas. Renewable energy is proving to be a powerful driver of resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable urban growth. ·       Stronger collaboration between national governments, cities and communities is essential. When data informs decisions and policies align across levels of government, innovation can move from pilot projects to large-scale impact. The era of incremental change is over. Africa's cities aren't waiting — and neither should the world. #Innovate4Cities #I4C26 #CitiesClimateAction #RenewableEnergy #UrbanTransition #GCoM #UNHabitat #REN21

I am honored and grateful to be introduced as Africa’s Renewable Energy Champion under #RECI with @REN21. I look forward to working with REN21 partners to strengthen policy dialogue, advocacy, knowledge & experience sharing, and to advance renewables ..1)

Ethiopia’s long-term investments in renewable energy and resilience are paying off during today’s global energy shocks. From the #GERD inauguration in 2025 to bold policies like banning non-electric vehicle imports in 2024, the country has reduced its vulnerability to external oil shocks. This is proof that strategic planning and renewable energy investment strengthen energy security. #Africa must now accelerate its transition and harness its vast renewable potential. Sourced from grid energy of GERD (left), #CORE Development Charging Station (right) in AA is operating at full capacity @mowe_ethiopia @IEA @IRENA @REN21 @PMEthiopia.