The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, has inaugurated the second Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) Investment Forum, aimed at mobilising large-scale investments to advance the continent’s energy transition and drive green industrialisation.
The two-day forum, held from 22–23 October 2025 at the Freetown International Conference Centre, brings together energy ministers, international finance institutions, investors, developers, and APRA partner countries for high-level policy dialogues and technical sessions focused on unlocking capital for renewable energy projects across Africa.
Forum Highlights
The APRA Investment Forum features investor matchmaking sessions and a project exhibition platform designed to connect African renewable developers with global financial institutions. The initiative comes shortly after IRENA released a report showing that Africa accounted for just 1.6% of new installed renewable energy capacity in 2024, underscoring the urgency for accelerated investment.
Key Statements
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera emphasized the importance of closing the investment gap:
“Renewables have become the most affordable source of power generation, yet the gap between Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and actual deployment remains wide. We must urgently remove financial barriers and ensure affordable capital reaches viable projects.”
Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, said the forum is a pivotal step toward meeting national and regional energy goals:
“APRA is a critical initiative for African countries to accelerate renewable deployment and achieve SDG 7. Sierra Leone is proud to host the summit as we work to increase our renewable energy share from 46% to 52% under the Mission 300 Compact.”
Strategic Impact
The forum builds on the success of its inaugural edition held in Nairobi, which facilitated a project pipeline worth USD 2.7 billion and identified around 1 GW of renewable power capacity. This year’s event is expected to further enhance investment readiness, support implementation, and drive energy transition efforts across APRA member countries.
The APRA Investment Forum reinforces Africa’s position in the global renewable energy agenda and underscores the growing commitment to sustainable energy development across the continent.
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