The African Energy Sovereignty Concept – X Space Discussion, held on 29th January 2025 from 19:30 to 21:00 pm EAT , marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding Africa’s energy future ahead of Africa Heads Of States Energy Summit that took place in Dar Es Salaam from 27th and 28th 2025. The African Heads of States Energy Summit came out with the resolution to ensure that by 2030 then 300 million African among 600 million among who don’t have access to electricity will be given the access to electricity, this commitment was then supported by the “DAR ES SALAAM DECLARATION”. The summit most mostly focused on the energy security concept without a clear pathway on energy accessibility, availability, utilization but also little focus was centred on the source of energy while natural gas being considered as an alternative source of energy while leaving the “Phasing Out Fossil Fuels Discussion” not discussed.
It was against this backdrop that GreenFaith Tanzania in collaboration with Green Conservers, and Organization for Community Engagement organized an X-Space discussing the “Concept of The African Energy Sovereignty Concept” the target focused on discussing the Energy Concept focusing on the needs of African grassroots communities such as; the communities right to control their own energy sources, ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and local managed energy solutions also the discussion centred on addressing the energy inequities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and fostering resilient and self-sufficient communities.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the discussion were:
- To highlight the importance of energy sovereignty in achieving sustainable development goals.
- To showcase successful case studies and best practices in community-led energy initiatives.
- To explore innovative technologies that enhance decentralized energy systems.
- To foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders in the energy sovereignty movement.
Rationale
The need for this event was driven by the increasing awareness and knowledge of energy sovereignty, Strengthened networks among stakeholders, Policy recommendations for supporting decentralized energy initiatives and Identification of actionable steps for communities to achieve energy sovereignty.
Opening Remarks by Baraka Machumu
Baraka Machumu, Digital and Communication Person at GreenFaith Tanzania opened the session with a passionate call for prioritizing African communities in the energy decision-making process. He stressed the urgency of moving away from the dominant fossil fuel-based development model and called for a transition that respects African voices and values sustainability and equity. Machumu highlighted the urgency of centering African communities in energy decision-making processes. “As we approach the Africa Energy Summit 2025, we must challenge the dominant narrative that fossil fuel expansion is the only development path. Our communities are the ones paying the price for corporate-driven energy policies. It is time for Africa to reclaim its energy future, prioritizing sustainability, equity, and justice.”
Following his opening, Machumu welcomed Baraka Lenga- a GreenFaith organizer from Tanzania, and Gifty Aghenyefia- a GreenFaith organizer from Ghana to facilitate the discussion. Also, he welcomed all participants and wished them to have a wonderful discussion.
The EACOP and the Plight of Affected Communities
Prisca Kajumba, an advocate for communities impacted by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), provided a stark account of the suffering experienced by families in Uganda and Tanzania. She described displacement, environmental destruction, and the erosion of livelihoods, condemning the EACOP as a colonial-style project that primarily benefits multinational corporations at the expense of local communities. Her powerful message emphasized the need for Africa to shift its focus toward renewable energy solutions that prioritize the well-being of its people. She painted a vivid picture of displacement, environmental destruction, and economic hardship faced by thousands in Uganda and Tanzania due to the project. “The EACOP is a colonial-style project designed to extract resources while leaving African communities in deeper poverty. Families have lost their land, their farms, and their way of life, all while corporations and foreign investors profit. We are being promised ‘development,’ yet we are left with broken livelihoods and degraded environments.”
Prisca emphasized that energy justice must be at the heart of Africa’s energy transition, urging policymakers to invest in renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. “Africa deserves a real, just energy transition—not corporate lies! The people must come first, not profit.”
The Energy Access Divide
Modester Lynn shared stories from Turkana, Kenya, and other rural areas where access to basic energy services remains a significant challenge. Despite the vast resources extracted from the continent, many African communities continue to lack electricity, with women and children bearing the brunt of this energy poverty. She called for African governments to prioritize clean, community-owned energy solutions and break free from fossil fuel dependence. She underscored the deep inequalities in energy distribution across Africa. “While fossil fuel projects like EACOP receive billions in funding, communities in Turkana and many parts of rural Africa still lack basic access to electricity. Women and children are the most affected—walking miles to gather firewood, struggling to cook, study, or even receive medical care at night. This is unacceptable.” She further called out African leaders, urging them to break free from fossil fuel dependency and invest in clean, community-owned energy solutions. “Our people should not have to beg for energy access while multinational corporations extract and sell our resources. Energy sovereignty means ensuring that every African has access to affordable, sustainable power—not just the elite.”
Moderators: Gifty and Baraka Lenga
The session’s moderators, Gifty from Ghana and Lenga from Tanzania, skillfully steered the conversation, reminding participants of the real-life impact of energy inequality. They emphasized the importance of solidarity with affected communities and called for bold action to prevent Africa from repeating the energy mistakes of the Global North. Gifty reminded the audience: “These are not just statistics or policies. These are human lives—real families being displaced, real communities left in the dark. We must stand with them and demand change.” Baraka Lenga added: “Africa cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the Global North. Our leaders must reject the fossil fuel trap and build an energy future that works for our people, not just for corporations.”
Figure 2: Showing the participants
Call for Action
As the discussion concluded, a unified message emerged: Africa’s energy future must be determined by its people, not by foreign corporations seeking profit. A true just energy transition must center on sustainability, community empowerment, and the protection of the environment. In closing remarks, Brian Misiati, GreenFaith Africa’s Communications Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of energy justice, stating: “Africa must lead its energy future—rooted in justice, sustainability, and community power.”
Key Achievements
Action on African Energy Sovereignty X Space discussion successfully engaged a broad audience, demonstrating the growing interest and support for a just energy transition in Africa.
– 237 people tuned in live during the discussion.
– 235 live listeners participated in the conversation.
– 118 replays after the event, extending the reach of our message.
– 335 total tuned in, to listen to our discussion
– 20 new followers gained on our X platform, expanding our digital advocacy network.
These numbers highlight the increasing engagement in climate justice conversations and the effectiveness of digital advocacy in mobilizing support for energy sovereignty in Africa.
Figure 3: Showing the analytic data from X space
Outcomes
- Raising Awareness: The session effectively highlighted the urgent need for energy sovereignty and brought attention to the struggles faced by communities impacted by fossil fuel projects.
- Solidarity Building: The discussion helped foster a sense of solidarity among participants, who shared a commitment to advocating for energy justice across the continent.
- Powerful Advocacy: The voices of key speakers like Prisca Kajumba and Modester Lynn added powerful and personal perspectives to the ongoing fight for energy justice.
Challenges
- Limited Reach: Although the virtual format allowed for broader participation, the event could have benefited from wider engagement from policymakers, industry leaders, and local communities, particularly those in rural areas that are most affected by energy inequities.
- Technological Barriers: As with many virtual events, some participants faced technical challenges in joining or engaging fully in the discussion.
- Skepticism from Stakeholders: While the call for energy sovereignty was strong, overcoming the entrenched interests of corporations and governments that benefit from fossil fuel industries remains a major challenge.
Conclusion
The African Energy Sovereignty Concept – X Space Discussion was a critical step toward reshaping the conversation around Africa’s energy future. It reaffirmed the need for energy justice and called for a shift away from fossil fuel dependence toward a more equitable, sustainable, and community-driven energy model. The session provided a vital platform for frontline voices, ensuring that the struggles and aspirations of affected communities were heard in the lead-up to the Africa Energy Summit 2025.
Recommendations
- Strengthen Advocacy Networks: Building stronger coalitions between affected communities, civil society organizations, and policy influencers will be key to pushing for meaningful energy reforms.
- Expand Access to Renewable Energy: Governments and international partners must prioritize investments in renewable energy infrastructure that benefit local communities, particularly in rural areas.
- Engage Policymakers: It is crucial to engage more policymakers in these discussions to ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are heard in decision-making processes.
- Leverage International Platforms: Events like the Africa Energy Summit 2025 should continue to be used as platforms for challenging the status quo and advocating for energy justice at the global level.
By continuing to push for energy sovereignty and sustainable practices, Africa can carve out an energy future that serves the needs of its people rather than corporate interests.The African Energy Sovereignty Concept – X Space Discussion, held on 29th January 2025 from 19:30 to 21:00 pm EAT , marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding Africa’s energy future ahead of Africa Heads Of States Energy Summit that took place in Dar Es Salaam from 27th and 28th 2025. The African Heads of States Energy Summit came out with the resolution to ensure that by 2030 then 300 million African among 600 million among who don’t have access to electricity will be given the access to electricity, this commitment was then supported by the “DAR ES SALAAM DECLARATION”. The summit most mostly focused on the energy security concept without a clear pathway on energy accessibility, availability, utilization but also little focus was centred on the source of energy while natural gas being considered as an alternative source of energy while leaving the “Phasing Out Fossil Fuels Discussion” not discussed.
It was against this backdrop that GreenFaith Tanzania in collaboration with Green Conservers, and Organization for Community Engagement organized an X-Space discussing the “Concept of The African Energy Sovereignty Concept” the target focused on discussing the Energy Concept focusing on the needs of African grassroots communities such as; the communities right to control their own energy sources, ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and local managed energy solutions also the discussion centred on addressing the energy inequities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and fostering resilient and self-sufficient communities.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the discussion were:
- To highlight the importance of energy sovereignty in achieving sustainable development goals.
- To showcase successful case studies and best practices in community-led energy initiatives.
- To explore innovative technologies that enhance decentralized energy systems.
- To foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders in the energy sovereignty movement.
Rationale
The need for this event was driven by the increasing awareness and knowledge of energy sovereignty, Strengthened networks among stakeholders, Policy recommendations for supporting decentralized energy initiatives and Identification of actionable steps for communities to achieve energy sovereignty.
Opening Remarks by Baraka Machumu
Baraka Machumu, Digital and Communication Person at GreenFaith Tanzania opened the session with a passionate call for prioritizing African communities in the energy decision-making process. He stressed the urgency of moving away from the dominant fossil fuel-based development model and called for a transition that respects African voices and values sustainability and equity. Machumu highlighted the urgency of centering African communities in energy decision-making processes. “As we approach the Africa Energy Summit 2025, we must challenge the dominant narrative that fossil fuel expansion is the only development path. Our communities are the ones paying the price for corporate-driven energy policies. It is time for Africa to reclaim its energy future, prioritizing sustainability, equity, and justice.”
Following his opening, Machumu welcomed Baraka Lenga- a GreenFaith organizer from Tanzania, and Gifty Aghenyefia- a GreenFaith organizer from Ghana to facilitate the discussion. Also, he welcomed all participants and wished them to have a wonderful discussion.
The EACOP and the Plight of Affected Communities
Prisca Kajumba, an advocate for communities impacted by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), provided a stark account of the suffering experienced by families in Uganda and Tanzania. She described displacement, environmental destruction, and the erosion of livelihoods, condemning the EACOP as a colonial-style project that primarily benefits multinational corporations at the expense of local communities. Her powerful message emphasized the need for Africa to shift its focus toward renewable energy solutions that prioritize the well-being of its people. She painted a vivid picture of displacement, environmental destruction, and economic hardship faced by thousands in Uganda and Tanzania due to the project. “The EACOP is a colonial-style project designed to extract resources while leaving African communities in deeper poverty. Families have lost their land, their farms, and their way of life, all while corporations and foreign investors profit. We are being promised ‘development,’ yet we are left with broken livelihoods and degraded environments.”
Prisca emphasized that energy justice must be at the heart of Africa’s energy transition, urging policymakers to invest in renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. “Africa deserves a real, just energy transition—not corporate lies! The people must come first, not profit.”
The Energy Access Divide
Modester Lynn shared stories from Turkana, Kenya, and other rural areas where access to basic energy services remains a significant challenge. Despite the vast resources extracted from the continent, many African communities continue to lack electricity, with women and children bearing the brunt of this energy poverty. She called for African governments to prioritize clean, community-owned energy solutions and break free from fossil fuel dependence. She underscored the deep inequalities in energy distribution across Africa. “While fossil fuel projects like EACOP receive billions in funding, communities in Turkana and many parts of rural Africa still lack basic access to electricity. Women and children are the most affected—walking miles to gather firewood, struggling to cook, study, or even receive medical care at night. This is unacceptable.” She further called out African leaders, urging them to break free from fossil fuel dependency and invest in clean, community-owned energy solutions. “Our people should not have to beg for energy access while multinational corporations extract and sell our resources. Energy sovereignty means ensuring that every African has access to affordable, sustainable power—not just the elite.”
Moderators: Gifty and Baraka Lenga
The session’s moderators, Gifty from Ghana and Lenga from Tanzania, skillfully steered the conversation, reminding participants of the real-life impact of energy inequality. They emphasized the importance of solidarity with affected communities and called for bold action to prevent Africa from repeating the energy mistakes of the Global North. Gifty reminded the audience: “These are not just statistics or policies. These are human lives—real families being displaced, real communities left in the dark. We must stand with them and demand change.” Baraka Lenga added: “Africa cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the Global North. Our leaders must reject the fossil fuel trap and build an energy future that works for our people, not just for corporations.”
Call for Action
As the discussion concluded, a unified message emerged: Africa’s energy future must be determined by its people, not by foreign corporations seeking profit. A true just energy transition must center on sustainability, community empowerment, and the protection of the environment. In closing remarks, Brian Misiati, GreenFaith Africa’s Communications Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of energy justice, stating: “Africa must lead its energy future—rooted in justice, sustainability, and community power.”
Key Achievements
Action on African Energy Sovereignty X Space discussion successfully engaged a broad audience, demonstrating the growing interest and support for a just energy transition in Africa.
– 237 people tuned in live during the discussion.
– 235 live listeners participated in the conversation.
– 118 replays after the event, extending the reach of our message.
– 335 total tuned in, to listen to our discussion
– 20 new followers gained on our X platform, expanding our digital advocacy network.
These numbers highlight the increasing engagement in climate justice conversations and the effectiveness of digital advocacy in mobilizing support for energy sovereignty in Africa.
Figure 3: Showing the analytic data from X space
Outcomes
- Raising Awareness: The session effectively highlighted the urgent need for energy sovereignty and brought attention to the struggles faced by communities impacted by fossil fuel projects.
- Solidarity Building: The discussion helped foster a sense of solidarity among participants, who shared a commitment to advocating for energy justice across the continent.
- Powerful Advocacy: The voices of key speakers like Prisca Kajumba and Modester Lynn added powerful and personal perspectives to the ongoing fight for energy justice.
Challenges
- Limited Reach: Although the virtual format allowed for broader participation, the event could have benefited from wider engagement from policymakers, industry leaders, and local communities, particularly those in rural areas that are most affected by energy inequities.
- Technological Barriers: As with many virtual events, some participants faced technical challenges in joining or engaging fully in the discussion.
- Skepticism from Stakeholders: While the call for energy sovereignty was strong, overcoming the entrenched interests of corporations and governments that benefit from fossil fuel industries remains a major challenge.
Conclusion
The African Energy Sovereignty Concept – X Space Discussion was a critical step toward reshaping the conversation around Africa’s energy future. It reaffirmed the need for energy justice and called for a shift away from fossil fuel dependence toward a more equitable, sustainable, and community-driven energy model. The session provided a vital platform for frontline voices, ensuring that the struggles and aspirations of affected communities were heard in the lead-up to the Africa Energy Summit 2025.
Recommendations
- Strengthen Advocacy Networks: Building stronger coalitions between affected communities, civil society organizations, and policy influencers will be key to pushing for meaningful energy reforms.
- Expand Access to Renewable Energy: Governments and international partners must prioritize investments in renewable energy infrastructure that benefit local communities, particularly in rural areas.
- Engage Policymakers: It is crucial to engage more policymakers in these discussions to ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are heard in decision-making processes.
- Leverage International Platforms: Events like the Africa Energy Summit 2025 should continue to be used as platforms for challenging the status quo and advocating for energy justice at the global level.
By continuing to push for energy sovereignty and sustainable practices, Africa can carve out an energy future that serves the needs of its people rather than corporate interests.