Musa Kamara
Foreign Service Academy, Tower Hill, Freetown Renowned energy expert and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF) and Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG), Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, delivered a compelling keynote address at a joint program of the Sierra Leone and Liberia Foreign Service Academies.
Speaking on “The Global Quest for Climate Resilience: Challenges and Opportunities for Sub-Saharan African Nations,” Dr. Yumkella called for urgent reforms in energy policy, natural resource management, and regional cooperation to strengthen Africa’s response to climate change.
Highlighting the deep paradox of Africa’s energy poverty, Dr. Yumkella underscored that while the continent contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, it suffers the most from climate-related impacts. “West Africa is the most energy-poor region, and countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia remain among the poorest,” he said. “Yet we are paying the highest price for a crisis we did not create.”
He linked climate resilience directly to energy transition, arguing that moving towards cleaner, sustainable energy sources is essential, but Africa lacks the infrastructure and investment to make this transition at scale. He emphasized the need for initiatives like the Mission 300 Compact, which aim to catalyze sustainable energy and economic transformation.
Dr. Yumkella also stressed the importance of managing critical minerals, such as those needed for global clean energy technologies. “We may be poor, but we must learn to manage our resources better,” he said. “Climate resilience is not just about adapting to the weather; it’s about long-term economic planning and governance.”
Calling attention to the absence of effective climate prediction tools and the continent’s limited capacity to adapt, Dr. Yumkella warned that Africa remains highly vulnerable. He called for stronger climate finance mechanisms, including monetizing forest assets and creating credible carbon trading frameworks that benefit local communities.
Dr. Yumkella called on young Africans to take charge of the continent’s future. “There is climate injustice, yes. But how we manage our rare earth minerals, our economies, and our partnerships will determine whether we remain poor or become stewards of a resilient, sustainable Africa.”
