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The clean energy hub of the future

850,473 views | Rebekah Shirley • TED Countdown Dilemma Series

Why aren't more people investing in Africa's green energy? Environmental researcher Rebekah Shirley outlines the continent's immense potential for renewable power and calls for collaborative international investment -- and partnership -- in Africa's climate future. "Let's cut past the talk and focus on unleashing the avalanche of a clean energy future that Africa is ready to deliver," says Shirley.

Why aren't more people investing in Africa's green energy? Environmental researcher Rebekah Shirley outlines the continent's immense potential for renewable power and calls for collaborative international investment -- and partnership -- in Africa's climate future. "Let's cut past the talk and focus on unleashing the avalanche of a clean energy future that Africa is ready to deliver," says Shirley.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about ways you can directly support local enterprises powering Africa with African hands.

About the speaker

Rebekah Shirley

Rebekah Shirley

Environmental researcher

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Rebekah Shirley’s research helps identify real actions for promoting clean energy and sustainable economies in Africa.

Monkgogi Otlhogile and Rebekah Shirley | Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability, 2023 | Article

"The evolving just transition: definitions, context, and practical insights for Africa"

What exactly is a "just energy transition"? Rebekah's latest article explains the evolution of this movement from its origins to initiatives on the ground today.

Rebekah Shirley | One Earth, 2021 | Article

"Energy for food, livelihoods, and resilience: An integrated development agenda for Africa"

Are there real solutions that can help Africa solve the need for energy access, growing economies, improved food security, massive job creation and climate adaptation all together?

Chavi Meattle, Rajashree Padmanabhi, et al. | Climate Policy Initiative, 2022 | Article

"Landscape of Climate Finance in Africa"

Want to read more on the size and scope of the climate finance gap that Africa faces? Here is some of the latest analysis from the Climate Policy Initiative.

African Union, 2022 | Article

"African and Global Partners Launch Multi-Billion Alliance for Green Infrastructure"

At the latest COP in Egypt, the African Union and the African Development Bank in partnership with several global partners launched the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, an initiative to help scale and accelerate financing for green infrastructure projects in Africa. Keep track of the progress here.

World Resources Institute, 2023 | Explore

WRI Africa

Follow the work that the World Resources Institute is doing to promote clean energy transitions in Africa.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about ways you can directly support local enterprises powering Africa with African hands.