Hopolang Mokhopi
HIS Majesty King Letsie III has called for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to Africa’s energy transition, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions tailored to the continent’s diverse needs.
Speaking at the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 10th Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Brussels on Thursday, the King underscored the significance of Africa’s role in the global shift towards a sustainable energy future.
King Letsie III, joined by Lesotho’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, and Minister of Natural Resources, Mohlomi Moleko, stressed that Africa’s energy transition sits at the intersection of climate urgency, development, and moral responsibility.
“No region, community, or country should be left behind as the world moves towards sustainable energy,” he said.
Reflecting on the previous year’s IEA conference in Nairobi, the King noted that meaningful progress on global energy efficiency will remain out of reach unless the developing world — where 80 percent of people without energy access live — receives adequate support.
He highlighted that Africa’s priorities differ from those of high-income nations where energy efficiency focuses on optimisation.
In contrast, Africa’s imperative is to build access, ensuring energy is available to all in an affordable and sustainable way.
King Letsie III said nearly 800 million Africans still rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating, with severe consequences for health, the environment, and gender equality.
He called for innovative, context-specific solutions that address Africa’s infrastructure limitations and diverse communities.
The continent’s rapid population growth and urbanisation, he said, present unique opportunities for new efficiency models that could benefit both Africa and the world.
“Lesotho’s own climate extremes have prompted the development of a new energy efficiency strategy for housing, featuring appropriate architectural designs and materials,” he said.
The King therefore invited partners to invest and share best practices as Lesotho moves towards implementation.
Turning to global climate goals, King Letsie III stressed that Africa’s unique realities must be considered.
“While COP28’s ambitions to triple global renewable capacity and double energy efficiency are laudable, nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity — accounting for 83 percent of the global energy access deficit,” the King said.
In Africa, he said, energy efficiency must prioritise productive use and expanded access.
He cited the World Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, aiming to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030, as a landmark effort.
Lesotho is preparing its own national energy compact to join the mission, guided by the principles of restorative, distributive, and procedural justice, the King said.
To drive its just energy transition, the King said Lesotho has launched the HMKIII JET Fund to support a shift from a mining-dependent economy to one rooted in renewable energy exports.
However, King Letsie III noted the scale of the financial challenge, with Africa facing an 88 percent shortfall of the $2.5 trillion (about M44 trillion) needed by 2030 to meet climate commitments.
He also highlighted the distinct nature of Africa’s emissions, which are largely driven by land use rather than energy, calling for a transition that includes reforestation, smart agriculture, and sustainable land management.
Africa holds nearly 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources yet continues to export low-value products.
The King urged the continent to seize the opportunity for local manufacturing, skills development, and industrialisation, emphasising the importance of technology, finance, and skills.
He also underscored the transformative potential of digital technologies and the need for financial systems that support Africa’s needs without imposing unsustainable debt.
Regional cooperation, such as through the Southern and West African Power Pools, was cited as key to improving efficiency, reliability, and affordability.
The King also praised African entrepreneurs for pioneering innovative solutions and called for increased investment in technical and vocational education.
The monarch stressed the central role of women in the energy transition, noting that “women are both disproportionately affected by energy poverty and under-represented in the sector”.
Lesotho is addressing this through targeted support in education, training, and leadership, he noted.
King Letsie III also called for genuine partnerships and bold action plans to support Africa’s energy transition.
“Africa has the talent, the ideas, and the determination to lead. What we need is global solidarity and support to match it,” he said, thanking the IEA for its leadership on this critical issue.