The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has cautioned that Africa is at risk of falling into a cycle of colonial-style exploitation disguised as green energy development. Speaking in Nairobi at the New Energy for Africa 11 Convening, ITUC-Africa Deputy President Rose Omamo argued that the transition to renewable energy must prioritize local industrialization, stable job creation, and economic independence.
Omamo highlighted that while over 600 million Africans lack electricity, merely expanding access is insufficient. She emphasized that the continent must retain ownership and control over energy infrastructure, ensuring these investments bolster public systems rather than just benefiting foreign entities. A key concern raised was the extraction of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt. Omamo insisted that Africa must stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on domestic processing and manufacturing to add value to these resources.
Furthermore, ITUC-Africa advocated for the inclusion of workers in policy-making, asserting that labor representatives should not be treated as spectators after investment deals are sealed. The organization is calling for a unified African position ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. Their primary goal is to ensure the energy shift leads to secure employment, fair wages, and protected community interests, effectively preventing the recurrence of historical economic inequalities under the guise of environmental progress.
