COORDINATING AN ENERGY TRANSITION IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

Goal #7 of Agenda 2063 envisions an Africa with "environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies" and renewable energy is considered an important priority area for achieving this goal. While strides have been taken at varying levels and paces across the continent in the uptake of off-grid renewable solutions to the energy crisis in the region, there remain gaps in the energy system and industry. This paper examines the challenges to and opportunities for attaining a continent-wide energy transition in Africa. Drawing on a descriptive research design using mixed methods, the paper argues that coordination both within and between states is imperative for a successful energy transition in Africa. Within the state, the paper argues that active energy citizenship and participation reflects the level of coordination between the government and the citizens in the design and implementation of an energy transition. Between states, the paper argues that coordination in energy policies at a regional level is attainable if construed through the lens of developmental regionalism (Qobo, 2007). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]