The analysis, carried out with Enel Green Power, is the fifth publication of the Connecting the Dots series. Presented during the 17th AM-Powering Connexions, it identifies obstacles, perspectives and recommendations to stimulate RE development in Southern African countries.

Rome, 18th February 2025 – Strengthening regional energy integration, improving regulatory frameworks, and increasing investment in renewable infrastructure are essential to accelerating Southern Africa’s clean energy transition and enhancing climate resilience. These are the key findings of the latest Connecting the Dots study A Retrospective on Southern Africa’s Energy Transition: Renewables, Resources, and Responsibility, developed in collaboration with Enel Green Power. The study was presented during the 17th edition of AM-Powering Connexions.

Southern Africa, despite its vast renewable energy potential, remains largely dependent on coal, with 87% of South Africa’s electricity generation still coming from fossil fuels. However, the region has made notable progress in diversifying its energy mix. Over the past decade, Southern Africa added nearly 10 GW of renewable energy capacity, reaching a total of 30 GW by 2024. Hydropower remains the leading renewable source, with Zambia, Mozambique, and Angola making the largest contributions. Meanwhile, South Africa has driven the growth of wind and solar power, with 6.4 GW of solar and 3.5 GW of wind currently under development​

The event highlighted persistent barriers that continue to slow renewable energy growth, including regulatory hurdles, investment frameworks, and a lack of regional energy market integration. Off-grid solutions, crucial for expanding energy access, have been underfunded, with Southern Africa attracting only 3% of total off-grid renewable investments in Africa between 2010 and 2020​. Meanwhile, climate change poses a growing threat, with over 45 million people affected by climate-related disasters in the past decade, emphasizing the need for adaptation strategies​

Among the key recommendations from the Connecting the Dots study and the event discussions are:

• Unlocking strategic public-private partnerships to drive large-scale renewable energy projects.
• Enhancing regulatory frameworks and market policies to foster investment and streamline project development.
• Leveraging Southern Africa’s lack of extensive fossil fuel infrastructure to transition directly to a renewables-based economy.
• Strengthening regional governance and policy harmonization to unlock the full potential of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

"The past decade has shown both the potential and the obstacles of Southern Africa’s energy transition," noted Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General at RES4Africa Foundation. "With improved policies, stronger market integration, and increased investments, the region can pave the way for a green energy future."

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