EDITORIAL Climate change
Supercharging Africa’ s energy transition
Africa faces a dual transition. Around 600 million people still lack reliable access to electricity, accounting for more than 80 % of the global electricity access gap. At the same time, there is a strong push towards decarbonising Africa’ s energy sectors.
“ Access to secure, affordable energy is critical to create quality jobs, protect livelihoods, boost security to bring durable peace, and promote economic growth. And it must be provided sustainably,” says Zayd Vawda, Principal Associate: Renewable Energy, WSP in Africa.
According to the Africa Energy Report 2025, Africa’ s total power generation exceeds 980 terawatt hours( TWh), with fossil fuels making up nearly 72 % and renewables just over 27 %. However, this dependence on fossil fuels is changing – and quickly. In 2023, funding raised by African climate tech startups represented more than 30 % of all funds for startups on the continent, ranking climate tech second only to fintech.
" Equal access to reliable energy is vital for creating resilient, inclusive African cities. And energy transition isn’ t just a challenge- it’ s a technological and socioeconomic opportunity,” Vawda.“ We’ re helping clients move faster and think smarter by aligning policy, capital, and innovation. Our advisory teams turn ambition into action and vision into value, supercharging progress toward lower-carbon energy systems.”
Reshaping resilience through water resource management for future prosperity
Water considerations must also be integrated from the outset for smart, people-centred African cities, especially in water-scarce countries. The existing ageing infrastructure in many African nations not only affects reliable water access but also water quality, and the anticipated massive wave of urban growth in Africa over the coming decades will worsen this issue.
Priya Moodley, Technical Director: Water Resources, WSP in Africa, states:“ If African cities are to respond to this expected growth, and without worsening existing social and economic inequalities, physical infrastructure as well as protection and preservation practices must be adapted to meet people’ s needs, sustainably.”
Moodley asserts that all stakeholders in the value chain, from suppliers to regulators, must recognise the urgency of this challenge, understand the most significant risks and opportunities across the lifecycle, and work to develop and implement appropriate water strategies.
“ To optimise resources, water management principles must guide the prioritisation of measures, starting by preventing unnecessary uses or losses of drinkable water, and promoting appropriate disposal of water that cannot be reused without endangering human health or harming the environment.”
Designing Africa’ s future cities, today
In Africa, urbanisation trends present an opportunity to upgrade and retrofit city infrastructure with resilience and inclusivity in mind. Working closely with clients and communities, WSP’ s teams aim to create healthy, resilient, and prosperous places designed to thrive for future generations.
“ We know that the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work, and age are vital to human wellbeing, and we are dedicated to creating the strongest possible foundations. We adopt a holistic approach to planning and delivering projects for communities that are fair, in harmony with nature, and prepared for the future, while always ensuring to preserve what makes each place unique,” concludes Groves. ■
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