Women urged to lead Africa’s energy transition

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

THE growing demand for sustainable energy solutions presents an opportunity for women to take up leadership positions, influence policy and expand their participation in Africa’s energy industry.

Women Leaders for Climate Action (WLCA) Director of Sustainability and Membership Lead Sarah Banda Ortiz said women should not be regarded merely as beneficiaries of the energy transition but as key players in developing solutions and influencing decisions that shape the sector.

Ms Banda Ortiz said women’s participation was essential to building resilient communities and sustainable economies.  She was speaking during the second session of the Women and Economic Resilience Webinar Series, held under the theme “Women Energizing Africa: Opportunities and Roles for Women in the Just Energy Transition.”

She said Zambia’s experience with prolonged droughts, energy shortages and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns had made the transition to sustainable energy an important development priority.

“Access to energy was not only about powering homes and industries but also creating employment, supporting businesses and improving livelihoods,” Ms Banda Ortiz said.

She said women therefore needed meaningful opportunities to participate in the energy sector and influence decisions surrounding its transformation.

Meanwhile, Enterprise Power Manager for Legal, Corporate Affairs and Projects Kasweka Konga said women should be actively involved in developing energy projects, shaping policies, negotiating investment deals and owning businesses in the sector.

Ms Konga said the energy industry had historically been male-dominated, with women often finding themselves as the only female participants in important industry discussions.

“Opportunities in the sector extended beyond traditional technical professions, noting that women from different professional backgrounds had a role to play in its development,” she said.

Ms Konga said the just energy transition should not only deliver cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy but also create meaningful economic opportunities for women.

She added that opening pathways for women to influence policy, attract investment and lead businesses was critical to ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition were inclusive.

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