In Belém, Brazil beneath the air-conditioned grandeur of COP30, a profound moral truth emerged. It did not arise from polished policy proposals or formal speeches, but from the lived experience, spiritual conviction, and tenacious hope of African communities long marginalized by global energy systems.
Across rural Africa, energy poverty is a daily reality. According to the United Nations, around 600 million Africans still lack reliable access to electricity, amounting to nearly half the continent and more than 80% of the global electricity access gap. Without modern power, families rely on charcoal, firewood, or polluting generators for cooking and lighting, making everyday life a struggle for dignity. Meanwhile, over 1 billion people across Africa lack access to clean cooking, exposing millions — especially women and children to serious health risks.
Dr. Pius Oko, GreenFaith’s Africa Regional Manager, delivered a message to global leaders at COP30 not as a technocrat, but as a moral voice speaking truth to power. “At GreenFaith, we see faith actors not simply as advocates, but as catalysts for community transformation—driving a just and inclusive energy transition across Africa,” he affirmed.
His statement reflected the lived reality of a continent where faith leaders are more than ceremonial figures; they are frontline change-makers, grounding their work in deep spiritual responsibility and unwavering service to their communities.
Faith-Driven Solutions Beyond the Grid
In many African communities, faith institutions are filling the void left by inadequate infrastructure:
- Rural churches are powering health clinics with solar micro-grids.
- Mosques use small solar systems to pump clean water for their congregations.
- Traditional spiritual elders lead reforestation ceremonies, restoring land that has been degraded by climate change.
These are not symbolic gestures, they are concrete, life-sustaining interventions. In fact, research shows that solar mini-grids in rural Kenya and Nigeria resulted in a quadrupling of median household income, better health outcomes (by reducing kerosene lamp use), and greater economic participation especially for women.
This grassroots energy transformation highlights a powerful truth: faith-based communities are not waiting for change they are building it themselves.
Justice Under Threat: Energy Colonialism and Its Consequences
Yet, despite this moral leadership, Africa continues to face powerful obstacles. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is one such threat. This 1,443 km pipeline, backed by TotalEnergies and other partners, risks displacing tens of thousands of people, damaging fragile ecosystems, and undermining local livelihoods. According to independent reports, Lake Victoria, which supports more than 40 million people lies in the pipeline’s basin, raising urgent concerns about environmental degradation and water pollution.
For many communities, this is more than an economic or environmental issue: it is a spiritual crisis. Traditional wells, rivers, and sacred sites risk contamination or destruction. In that context, the pipeline is not merely infrastructure, it is a violation against creation itself.
A Moral Mandate Rooted in Faith
GreenFaith Africa’s vision is rooted in local, faith-led, community-owned renewable energy. Faith traditions across Africa provide a powerful foundation for resisting exploitation and demanding justice:
- “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8
- “He has made you stewards upon the Earth.” — Qur’an 6:165
These are not abstract ideals; for many African communities, they are spiritual imperatives. Faith leaders are not content with silent prayer, they call for active protection of the vulnerable, the land, and future generations.
This vision aligns with broader continental goals. The World Bank and African Development Bank’s “Mission 300” initiative, for example, aims to bring electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 largely through renewable, distributed energy systems. Leveraging its moral authority, the faith-based sector can be a vital force in driving and safeguarding this transition.
Why Faith Matters in the Fight for Climate Justice
Faith actors bring a unique and irreplaceable strength to the climate movement: Moral Leadership, Community Trust and Spiritual Resilience.
As COP30 concluded, GreenFaith Africa’s presence was a powerful reminder: Africa’s energy future cannot be authored by distant boardrooms. It must be shaped by those who bear the deepest burdens but also possess the greatest wisdom. The true just transition is not about profits or prestige; it is about healing, dignity, and shared life. Faith leaders, grounded in scripture, tradition, and moral courage are lighting the way for a future where no African community is left in the dark.