Events

The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) actively engaged at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2025 (BETD), to prominently place Africa’s renewable energy agenda at the forefront of global energy transition discussions.

Through two focused events – “Enabling Africa’s Energy Transition through Public Commitment” and “Private Investment and Accelerating the Energy Transition and De-risking Investments” – APRA countries, institutional partners, investors, and development institutions came together to explore concrete investment opportunities, address investment challenges, and drive strategic cooperation to accelerate the continent’s energy transition.

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As part of the implementation of the APRA action plan, IRENA co-faciliated with the SELCO foundation a knowledge exchange site visit in India entitled “Solar Power in Action”, which took place on February 8-9, 2025. It was the participations of government and private sector representatives active in the energy access space in from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. The tour included field visits to various locations in the Indian state of Karnataka, with the aim of witnessing firsthand the impact of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) on local livelihoods. The visit focused on understanding how DRE solutions are implemented in diverse settings, from millet and food processing units to a chili pounding unit operated by persons with disabilities (PWD). The delegates aimed to gather insights that could be replicated in their region, recognizing the transformative potential of DRE in creating sustainable economic opportunities. By observing the practical applications of solar-powered processing units, they gained a deeper understanding of how these technologies can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the quality of life for rural communities. The visit emphasized the critical role of DRE in fostering healthier and more robust livelihoods. Delegates witnessed how access to reliable and clean energy empowers local entrepreneurs and communities, enabling them to engage in value-added activities and achieve greater economic independence. The experience underscored the importance of DRE solutions in driving sustainable development and creating a brighter future for all.

This ministerial roundtable reviews one year of the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA)’s implementation, highlighting evolving national priorities and progress in scaling transformative renewable energy. It will examine the systemic changes required to attract capital and effective arrangements to ensure sustainability. High-level representatives will share insights on collective action and support from partners, aligning interventions with Africa’s development aims. Panellists will also explore how to enhance green industrialisation, accelerate the energy transition, and ensure long-term results.

Since December 2024, IRENA have been engaging with Rwanda on the update of the national Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP) as part of the implementation of the Rwanda APRA national action plan. Preceded by an introductory online training, a 5-day in-person workshop was held on December 16-20, 2025 in Kigali to train experts from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Rwanda Energy Group on the MESSAGE energy modelling framework, including i.a. aspects related to the adequate mathematical equations and constraints, modelling of technologies, load regions, etc. The training also covered how to develop the model, update and improve the representation of technologies in the model and also how to run the model using MESSAGE.

The participants have been able to demonstrate and explain how the existing scenarios were developed using MESSAGE analysis, in identifying the energy generation and transmission infrastructure needed up to 2050. They also supported the training by providing sessions and facilitating knowledge-sharing, sharing their experiences, and guiding others through the process. Additionally, they highlighted the challenges they faced in updating the MESSAGE model, which ultimately led to their request for further support.

Based on the training and further support from IRENA, the draft updated LCPDP is to be completed by end March 2025. After that, it will go through internal approval processes with the technical working group and the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure. It will subsequently go through external stakeholder consultation and will be published by the end of June 2025.

One of APRA's significant milestones is the upcoming Investment Forum, scheduled to take place on October 12-16, 2024, in Nairobi under the patronage of President Ruto of Kenya. This forum aims to showcase APRA as a rapid and tangible step toward tripling renewable energy and implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The event will facilitate investment in renewable energy manufacturing facilities, develop local supply chains, and encourage collaboration between APRA and G7 countries.

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The Ghana workshop held on 17 July 2024, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy (MoE), was supported by a series of bilateral consultations with government entities and partners to draw up a detailed planning and coordination framework for the development and implementation under the umbrella of this partnership.

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The National Consultation Workshop on Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), organized by the Ministry of Water and Energy with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) brought together a wide array of national and international stakeholders relevant for accelerating Ethiopia’s Clean Energy Transition. Participants included government officials, energy regulator, utility, and planners, energy experts, civil society, non-governmental institutions, private sector, development partners, financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and academic institutions.

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The National Consultation Workshop on Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), organized by the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) brought together a wide array of national and international stakeholders relevant for accelerating Rwanda’s Clean Energy Transition. Participants included government officials, energy regulator, utility, and planners, energy experts, civil society, non-governmental institutions, private sector, development partners, financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and academic institutions.

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The 4th Country Consultations under APRA (Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa) was held in Harare, Zimbabwe on 24-26 January. The workshop, coordinated by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, and facilitated by IRENA, saw the attendance of the Minister, Hon. Dr Jenfan Muswere, and over 100 local and international participants from a broad range of stakeholder institutions. The consultations led to a better understanding of the national priorities and energy transition ecosystem for each country through the engagement of a broad range of national and international stakeholders and the identification of specific needs.

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The achievement of socio-economic development and climate change objectives requires a rapid expansion of access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. Energy pathways that prioritise a systemic shift towards renewable energy have much to offer the African continent, whose energy systems require fundamental change and significant investment in the coming decade to open socio-economic opportunities for its growing populations.

Over the past year, Sierra Leone and other African countries engaged with Germany, Denmark, the UAE, IRENA, several foundations and other partners to explore possible acceleration of renewable-based economies on the continent. This engagement culminated in the launch of the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) by President Ruto of Kenya, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio and Namibia Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba at the first Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. As part of this process, a national consultation workshop was held on 24 October 2023.

This workshop, which was the second day of the first National Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Dialogue, brought together a wide array of national and international stakeholders relevant to accelerating Sierra Leone’s Energy Transition in line with the Paris Agreement. The consultations aimed to discuss Sierra Leone’s national priorities and energy transition ecosystem. The outcomes of the consultations provided substantive inputs for the preparation of the framework support to accelerate the energy transition.

Closed meeting, by invitation only.

The National Consultation Workshop on Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), organized by the Ministry of Energy of Kenya (MoEP) in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) brought together a wide array of national and international stakeholders relevant for accelerating Kenya’s Energy Transition. Participants included government officials, energy regulator, utility, and planners, energy experts, civil society, non-governmental institutions, private sector, development partners, financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and academic institutions.

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Founded at the African Climate Summit in September 2023 by Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe, with support from Denmark, Germany, the UAE and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) aims to accelerate energy transitions in respective countries. At COP28 in Dubai, leaders of APRA countries and partners underscored its role in galvanizing action and inspiring global climate leadership through a joint declaration. Under the leadership of African nations, APRA intends to expand all forms of renewable energy to support resilient and inclusive green growth.

The Namibian government, in collaboration with IRENA and other APRA partners, organized country consultations on 16-18 August 2023 with participation of a broad range of national and international stakeholders. The consultation workshop led by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on 16 August 2023 was followed by a series of focused bilateral meetings with various government entities and partners over two days on 17-18 August 2023. These consultations aimed at establishing a framework for developing an APRA Work Plan for Namibia, focusing on the three pillars of APRA.

Closed meeting, by invitation only.