Episode 4 – A shared vision for Africa’s energy transition

The Empower Transition – Insights from Our Members series continues with a new contribution from one of the leading voices of RES4Africa’s community.

In Episode 4, Salvatore Bernabei, President of RES4Africa Foundation and CEO of Enel Green Power, shares his perspective on the role of energy in Africa’s development and on the opportunities offered by the continent’s energy transition.

In his contribution, Bernabei reflects on how access to reliable, sustainable and affordable energy can contribute not only to economic growth, but also to greater stability, job creation and long-term value for African societies and economies.

His vision highlights the importance of a shared commitment among public and private stakeholders to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable and inclusive energy future for Africa.

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your organization? (Short bio and company background)

I am Salvatore Bernabei, President of RES4Africa and CEO of Enel Green Power.

I strongly believe that energy is not just infrastructure, but a driver of development, stability, and long-term value creation.

This belief deeply reflects the role of RES4Africa: a platform where industry, institutions, and expertise converge to accelerate sustainable electrification across the African continent. A platform that builds bridges—between Europe and Africa, capital and opportunity, strategy and execution.

2. As a RES4Africa member, what initiatives or activities are you currently contributing to?

Our contribution today is both operational and strategic.

On the one hand, we support the Foundation by strengthening concrete initiatives across policy, capacity building, and project implementation. On the other, we contribute to shaping its long-term strategic evolution, in a context where Africa itself is changing at extraordinary speed.

The continent is undergoing a deep transformation. It is no longer simply a destination for investments; it is increasingly becoming a protagonist of its own energy transition.

This shift is not only visible in official data—it is happening on the ground. One striking signal comes from bottom-up growth: imports of key components such as solar panels are estimated to be up to three times higher than tracked installations.

This tells us that the energy transition is already underway—driven by real demand, embedded in local systems, and moving faster than we often perceive. Africa is no longer just a market: it is an active player.

3. From your perspective, what are the key enablers needed to scale up electrification in Africa? (Your reflections and insights)

Electrification in Africa is not simply a technological challenge—it is a systemic transformation. Energy is deeply interconnected with water, agriculture, and economic development.

In this context, scaling impact requires a holistic approach and a strong enabling environment. Five conditions stand out as critical.

• Stable and transparent regulatory frameworks, to reduce risk, ensure bankability, and unlock long-term investments.
• Strong and integrated grid infrastructure, as transmission constraints remain one of the main bottlenecks to renewable deployment.
• Innovative financing and risk mitigation mechanisms, capable of mobilizing private capital and enabling new models such as corporate PPAs and B2B schemes.
• Institutional capacity and governance, with empowered regulators and strong planning capabilities.
• Local capabilities, which remain the most critical factor—because no transition can be sustainable without ownership within the countries themselves.

Conclusion

The real challenge is to accompany a transformation that is already underway—to accelerate it and make it structural.

In this journey, RES4Africa has a unique role: not only as a platform for dialogue, but as a true system enabler, capable of aligning stakeholders and turning vision into action.

Because ultimately, it is not about how much energy we install—
 it is about how much value we are able to create.