Energy women seek opportunity in 3.3 m new energy job
* Africa’s green economy needs annual $100 bn investments
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Some 3.3 million new direct jobs will be created with investments in renewable energy and a green transition in Africa by 2030; and women will require a level and equitable playing ground that supports diversity and inclusiveness to contribute in achieving the targets.
Labour projections that provide the guiding estimates point out that Africa holds unique potential to lead in global decarbonization efforts and capitalize on new green industries by tapping into its vast natural resources, renewable energy potential, and the world’s largest rising workforce.
Achieving Africa’s green promise requires supportive policies, infrastructure, skilled workforce and significant annual $100 billion financial investments.
Founder of CVL, Prof Pat Utomi
National Coordinator of the Women in LPG, Nigeria, Mrs Joy Shaiyen, who spoke at the 65th Leadership Tribute Colloquium of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) in Lagos stated that the 3.3 million new energy jobs form part of a total of 10 million jobs expected to be created in the period.
The revelation came ahead of the new report by FSD Africa that quotes expert projections suggesting that new jobs to be created within the green economy could reach 100 million by 2050.
The colloquium was hosted to celebrate and honour three members of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) with the Leader Without Title (LWT) tributes.
The honorees include the Acting Managing Director of Neconde Energy, Mrs Chichi Emenike; the Chief Executive Officer of Elint Systems Limited, Engr Charlotte Essiet; and the Chief Executive Officer of 3Streams Synergy Limited, Ms Adedoyin Adelabu.
In leading discussions at the event themed Fueling Progress: Harnessing Women’s Potentials in the Energy Sector; Mrs Shaiyen made it clear that women must be encouraged to form role models in transcending traditional roles as home builders to create relevance in emerging markets.
In pointing at the emerging job opportunities in the new energy industry, she called on the industry to develop a pipeline that channels greater female capacity to fill roles across the full value chain.
In addition to greater space for women in the industry leadership, one of the honorees, Mrs Chichi Emenike, called on the Nigerian government to also make the local operating environment more fiscally congenial for businesses to reward investments and create job opportunities.
She pointed at worsening insecurity, multiple taxation, punitive regulation and policy inconsistency as business killers in the country, warning that investments in conventional and new energy might continue to elude Nigeria if the operating conditions remain inhospitable.
She also pointed out that smart business practices are beginning to dismantle the gender barriers militating against the rise of women in corporate leadership, noting that whereas investors focus on persons that deliver on corporate goals, investments find destination in safe environments.
In urging women to take the digital route out of cultural and religious barriers to their careers in the country, Mr Emenike made it clear that peak performing woman is a catalyst for social development and change.
The Oracle Today reports that policy debates at the colloquium centered on the opportunities that come with the energy transition and the role of women in evolving solutions that arise with making newer and greener energy forms available and affordable to the masses.
Figures shared at the event compare with the outcome of a report published by the FSD Africa in collaboration with the Bolton Consulting Group which shows that total new direct jobs from the green economy in Africa could rise to 3.3 million in the next five years, accounting for the approximately 20 nascent value chains.
The FSD Africa report presents the first pan-African forecast for near-term direct job creation in select green sectors, aimed at educators, training institutions, staffing firms, and policymakers.
The near-term projection of over 3.3 million new direct jobs in 12 sub-sectors by 2030 is significant, but it underestimates the broader job creation potential.
The report stated that about a fifth of the jobs will be created in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and DR Congo; highlighting the critical role of human capital in green economic growth.
According to the report available online, the solar energy sector is projected to account for more than half of that total, while a quarter is to come from jobs in the agriculture sector, the report said.
The report holds that five focus countries are forecast to contribute up to 720,000 jobs or 22% of total by 2030; with South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria representing the highest job creation potential or 16% of the total due to population, gross domestic product (GDP) and industry maturity.
The focus countries, according to the report, reflect considerable diversity, with hydro being leading employer in DRC and Ethiopia; solar leading in South Africa and Kenya; and aquaculture and poultry leading in Nigeria.
The report also projects specialized and advanced jobs at 1.3 million or 40% of total, requiring focused skilling efforts to ensure ample talent pipeline; unskilled jobs presenting the highest job creation opportunity of up to 1.3 million 40% of total; and general and administrative jobs forecast at up to 650,000 or 20% of total; and advanced skills forecast at up to 320,000 of 11% of total.
In the five year forecasts up to 2030, the report stated, there will be 1.5 million to 3.3 million new direct green jobs in 12 material value chains, driven by ambitions to scale energy generation and efforts to modernize agriculture.
In the period, energy and power is expected to generate up to 2.0 million jobs or 70% of total, primarily from solar at up to 1.7 million or 57% of total; and power transmission and distribution at up to 197,000 or 6.0 % of total.
Agriculture and nature are forecasted to have up to 700,000 jobs or 25% of total; with climate smart agriculture technology (CSA) up to 377,000 or 13% of total, aquaculture and poultry up to 189,000 or 6% of total, and ecosystem and nature-based solutions (NBS) up to 117,000 or 4% of total.
Some expert organizations have estimated that the green economy could create up to 100 million new and improved jobs and livelihoods across Africa by 2050. And achieving a green economy in Africa requires over $100 billion annual investments in addition to a skilled workforce the report’s authors noted.
The pioneering study provides detailed forecasts for five focus countries – Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa – which together account for more than 20% of new jobs, and in key sectors such as e-mobility, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.
However, the success of green economic growth also hinges on developing the right human capital and talent. A skilled green workforce is essential for both driving and benefiting from this growth.
Unfortunately, human capital often receives less attention in these discussions. While infrastructure, policy, and capital flows are frequently analyzed, talent demand and supply dynamics have been overlooked—until now.
The FSD Africa declared that the report serves as a foundation for further research on labor demand across different sectors, regions, and timeframes.
