Western officials continue to push African nations to divest from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy, but such a move would be detrimental to Africa’s economic growth. Renewable energy remains expensive and unreliable, while fossil fuels provide the dependable power necessary for industrialization. The Western push for “net zero” emissions is a multi-trillion dollar endeavor, and it is unlikely that Western countries will compensate Africa for lost development opportunities. Rather than following misguided policies, African nations should prioritize their own economic progress and ignore Western pressure.
A transition to renewable energy is riddled with obstacles, as outlined in a recent study by Kayla P. Garrett and co-workers. The research highlights the limited availability of infrastructure, energy grid congestion, and resource competition as significant barriers to achieving renewable energy goals. Even in developed nations, which possess superior infrastructure, renewable energy has not been able to meet demand reliably. Africa’s energy needs are even more pronounced, as nations require consistent and affordable electricity to power industries, households, and critical infrastructure. The intermittent nature of solar and wind power, coupled with the high costs of storage and grid upgrades, makes it impractical for nations with already strained economies to rely on renewables.
Similarly, the cost of achieving net zero emissions is astronomical. According to John M. Deutch in the article, “Is Net Zero a Possible Solution to the Climate Problem?” implementing net zero policies on a global scale would require trillions of dollars annually, an expense that even wealthier nations struggle to manage. Developing nations cannot afford to divert resources from crucial sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development to finance an impractical green transition.
Moreover, Western nations have pledged financial assistance for energy transitions in poorer nations, but these promises remain largely unfulfilled. At the 2009 UN Climate Conference, developed nations committed to providing $100 billion per year to support developing countries’ climate initiatives. However, they have failed to meet these financial obligations, and developing nations claim that they are owed over $1 trillion in promised funds. Furthermore, there is no realistic expectation that the West will adequately compensate Africa for abandoning fossil fuels.
Forcing developing nations to decarbonize is unethical, as enunciated in The Ethics of Decarbonization for the Poor by V. Ismet Ugursal. The research demonstrates that access to cheap and reliable energy is a fundamental driver of economic development and poverty reduction. Historically, industrialized nations relied on fossil fuels to achieve their current levels of prosperity. To deny Africa the same opportunity is both hypocritical and immoral. Ugursal emphasizes that poverty alleviation depends on increasing energy consumption, yet current climate policies threaten to trap millions in poverty. Wealthy nations continue to exploit fossil fuels when convenient, as seen in Europe’s return to coal during the 2022 energy crisis. Meanwhile, they attempt to impose energy restrictions on Africa, without considering how African economies will be affected.
The push for a green transition is not only impractical but actively detrimental to Africa’s economic output. Quite appropriately, a study examining the productivity costs of the green energy transition in Africa by Ligane Sene and El Hadji Fall reveals that shifting to renewable energy will lead to productivity losses and reduced economic output. African industries depend on affordable, stable energy to remain competitive. Increasing energy costs would cripple manufacturing and mining, two critical sectors for economic development.
Western economies have already felt the repercussions of anti-fossil fuel policies. The UK, for example, legislated net zero policies that have resulted in skyrocketing energy costs for businesses. In contrast, the United States leveraged fracking to maintain relatively low energy prices. African nations should learn from these failures and avoid the economic self-sabotage experienced by Britain.
African governments should also resist the temptation to promote environmental, social, and governance goals. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals are often marketed as financially beneficial, but in reality, they have proven to be ineffective investment strategies. Nigeria and other African countries must abandon ESG policies, as they impose unnecessary financial burdens without yielding economic returns. Embracing pragmatic growth strategies centered around fossil fuel development is likely to reap more successes for African states.
Additionally, the changing political landscape in the United States should embolden African leaders to resist Western climate policies. With Donald Trump as President, the era of American pressure for climate compliance might be ending. As such, Western nations that commit to decarbonization are merely positioning themselves. Africa must avoid the errors of Western nations and chart its own energy future with the endorsement of an American administration that supports fossil fuels.
Africa’s path to economic development must prioritize reliable and affordable energy sources. The West’s demands for net zero compliance are unrealistic, costly, and ultimately harmful to African progress. Renewable energy remains inadequate to meet Africa’s industrialization needs, and the ethical argument for forcing decarbonization on the developing world is indefensible. African nations must reject ESG goals, learn from the failures of Western energy policies, and leverage their fossil fuel resources to secure economic prosperity. Ignoring misguided Western climate activism is not just a matter of national interest—it is a necessity for Africa’s future.
