By Evelyn Mwaura

KenGen made a powerful impression at the just concluded Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) Investment Forum, held in Nairobi, on the 14th – 16th of October 2024. The event, which brought together African ministers, investors, developers, and financial institutions, was a major step toward boosting Africa’s renewable energy capacity to 300GW by 2030, aligning with the #COP28 target to triple global renewable energy output by the end of this decade.

Hosted under the leadership of our parent ministry,Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the forum marked a pivotal moment in implementing the Nairobi Declaration and advancing the Call for Action to position Africa as a leader in the global green energy transition. For KenGen, the forum was an opportunity to showcase its critical role in driving Kenya’s energy transformation, which has seen the country achieve over 92% of its electricity generation from renewables, with KenGen contributing more than 50% to this milestone.

Kenya’s renewable energy success story is deeply tied to KenGen’s visionary leadership. Over the years, the company has expanded its geothermal capacity significantly, positioning Kenya as a global leader in geothermal energy. The Olkaria Geothermal Complex, which supplies more than 754MW of electricity to the national grid, has been instrumental in reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring that Kenya remained on track to meet its climate goals.

Specially invited, and speaking during the APRA Investment Forum on a panel discussion themed “APRA Driving Sustainable Energy Future and Green Industrialization”, was our very own captain, Eng. Peter Njenga, who highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to leading Africa’s green energy transition. “KenGen is proud to be at the forefront of Africa’s energy transformation. Our geothermal resources, especially at the world-class Olkaria Geothermal fields, have reshaped Kenya’s energy landscape and set the pace for what is possible across the continent, making Kenya the 7th largest geothermal energy producer globally! We are committed to playing our part in helping Africa achieve 300GW of renewable energy by 2030, fully aligned with the global COP28 ambitions,”said Eng. Njenga.

The APRA forum represented a new era of collaboration for Africa’s green energy future. With participation from
countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, the forum created a unique platform to align international cooperation with Africa’s renewable energy priorities. The event featured not only highlevel discussions but also matchmaking sessions where project developers engaged with financial institutions, ensuring that renewable projects across the continent gained global exposure and vital funding.

Reflecting on the forum’s significance, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum,
said, “Under President Ruto’s leadership, Kenya has played a pivotal role in championing the Nairobi Declaration and APRA, positioning our country as a leader in Africa’s energy transition. The APRA Investment Forum was a critical milestone, mobilizing investments that will support sustainable development across Africa while advancing global energy transition goals.”

Hon. Wandayi’s statement emphasized Kenya’s leadership in global climate action, with both the government
and KenGen playing central roles in fulfilling commitments made during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit. These efforts have been instrumental in Africa’s commitment to unlocking crucial climate finance, which will help the continent realize its ambition of powering economic growth through renewable energy. Francesco La Camera, the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which serves as the secretariat for APRA, praised the forum, saying, “The success of global climate objectives is closely tied to Africa realizing its vast renewable energy potential.

APRA sets a new standard for international cooperation,ensuring that support from the Global North complements Africa’s renewable energy priorities. The inaugural investment forum in Nairobi was a milestone in this alignment, bringing key stakeholders together to mobilize finance and turn Africa’s renewable energy ambitions into tangible outcomes.”Joseph Nganga, Vice President for Africa at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), further highlighted APRA’s importance in unlocking critical climate finance to connect 300 million unelectrified Africans to clean, affordable energy by 2030. “APRA’s inaugural forum is built on the momentum of the 2023 Africa Climate Summit (ACS), accelerating progress toward net-zero emissions.

By aligning with efforts from the GEAPP, World Bank, African Development Bank, and other partners, APRA is creating pathways for economic growth, job creation, and climate resilience across the continent,” said Nganga.KenGen’s participation in the APRA Investment Forum was not only symbolic but also demonstrated the company’s dedication to fast-tracking Africa’s renewable energy growth, driving green industrialization, and promoting climate resilience. As a cornerstone of Kenya’s energy sector, KenGen has long shown that investing in renewables, particularly geothermal, is the path forward for sustainable development in Africa.

Through continued investment in geothermal technology and innovative projects, KenGen is laying the groundwork for Africa’s green energy revolution. As Eng. Njenga emphasized, “KenGen’s mission is to power a better future for Africa, not just generate power. By 2030, Africa will be a global leader in renewable energy, and KenGen will be at the forefront of that transformation.”

As the APRA Investment Forum ended, it was clear that the discussions held during the event would shape Africa’s renewable energy future for decades to come. With stakeholders aligned, the forum set the stage for a new chapter in Africa’s energy transition—a chapter where KenGen’s leadership and Africa’s renewable potential meet global cooperation to create a future powered by clean, sustainable energy.

For KenGen, this is just the beginning. As the continent works to scale up its renewable capacity to 300GW by 2030, and with the newly launched 2024-2024 strategy being our guide, KenGen will continue to be a driving force, ensuring that Africa’s green energy revolution not only meets but exceeds global expectations.