As global energy transitions accelerate amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, Africa faces a critical window to shape its role within emerging power structures while advancing its own development priorities. This event situates Africa at the intersection of BRICS energy governance and continental green industrialisation efforts, highlighting the urgency of coordinated, foresight-informed strategies that ensure equitable, sovereign and sustainable outcomes.
It is in this context that SAIIA launched two timely research papers addressing:
- The BRICS Energy Sovereignty Question: Power Politics and Who Sets the Rules; and
- Advancing Green Industrialisation in the African Union: A Model Strategic Framework 2026-2063, using Egypt as a case study.
Together, these reports support proactive leadership for equitable energy transitions and the advancement of a green industrialisation agenda for Africa and the broader Global South. They outline the “what” of transformative structural change, the “how” through governance mechanisms and the “when” by identifying urgent strategic priorities for BRICS climate and energy transitions and AU-led green industrialisation.
The BRICS Climate and Energy Compass, a practical five-axis navigation tool supported by a clear accountability framework anchored in measurable regime flip metrics for 2025-2030, will be introduced. The analysis highlights three strategic priorities for funders and decision-makers: reforming global and intra-BRICS financial architecture, catalysing investment in hard-to-abate sectors, and localising climate finance to strengthen sub-national capability, each operationalised through a focused five-year tactical roadmap.
The AU Green Industrialisation Strategic Framework for sovereign, just, and resilient energy transitions was developed through close collaboration with the AU Energy Commission and AUDA-Nepad and multistakeholder participatory workshops. The framework is a navigation tool that identifies interconnected axes which shape how AU member states plan their green industrial strategies, how funders prioritise their support, and how multilateral processes are designed.
The launch sought to catalyse foresight and preparedness, and to enhance collaboration and action among BRICS and African stakeholders.
Moderator
- Dr Deon Cloete, Head: Futures Programme, SAIIA
Presenters
- Dr Njeri Mwagiru, Senior Researcher: Futures Programme, SAIIA
- Letitia Jentel, Senior Programme Manager and Researcher: Futures Programme, SAIIA
- Kirsten Pearson, Researcher: Climate and Natural Resources Programme, SAIIA
- Alex Benkenstein, Head: Climate and Natural Resources Programme, SAIIA
Read the Reports
- A Systemic Understanding of the African Union Renewable Energy-led Industrialisation Ecosystem
- BRICS Energy Diplomacy and Climate Transitions
Watch the Recording
