We didn’t just host an event, we created a space for fresh thinking and youth-led ideas. The Reverse Power Panel, part of Global Citizen’s Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign, brought together students, young leaders, innovators and energy practitioners to explore what Africa’s renewable energy future could look like. One message came through clearly: young people are not waiting to be invited into the conversation; they are already helping to shape it.

From the first moment, the atmosphere was warm and engaging. Host Slu Molamodi, radio personality and journalist, opened the programme in song, inviting the room to join in. Students from Wits University and the University of Johannesburg responded with enthusiastic singing and ululation, creating a sense of shared purpose and connection.

An opening contribution from Lipalesa Morake, Director of Africa Youth Development at Global Citizen, grounded the day in a simple idea: young Africans should participate actively in decisions about the energy systems they will live with for decades to come.

Youth Voices Leading the Way

Two representatives from the African Youth Energy Network (AYEN) — Hlolelo Rampete and Mpho Nyamathe — provided thoughtful insights backed by youth-led work and community experience.

Rampete highlighted clean cooking as “one of Africa’s most underestimated focus areas”, drawing attention to the health, environmental and social benefits it can unlock. He underscored that communities are often open to change when they are meaningfully included in planning and implementation, and when solutions reflect their daily realities.

Nyamathe invited the audience to rethink how young people access knowledge and skills related to energy. Drawing on Brazilian philosopher Paulo Freire’s ideas about learning, she emphasised Youth Energy Literacy as a foundation for effective participation in policy and programme design. She noted that skills development should start well before young people enter the job market, and stressed that communities appreciate being included in conversations that affect their futures.

A Leadership Shift

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, brought a perspective from government that recognised the importance of listening to younger generations. She observed that decision-makers are increasingly expected to create room for new voices and new expertise, remarking that “politicians are asked to step back and listen first. Young leaders are not waiting.” She added a note that resonated strongly with the audience: “You deserve to see your fingerprints on the energy system we are building.”

The panel brought together the Deputy Minister, Director at Africa Change Lab, Bhekumuzi Dean Bhebhe and Director of Southern Transitions Gaylor Montmasson-Clair. Together, they reflected on how policy, finance, local enterprise and community participation can support a cleaner and more reliable energy landscape across Africa.

Bhebhe emphasised that approaches should be responsive to these varied experiences and guided by clear principles that make progress timely, fair, adequately supported and inclusive. As he put it, “We need solutions that recognise where people are coming from, and that help them move forward in a meaningful way.” He also referred to distributive approaches that acknowledge past and present circumstances while equipping people with long-term capabilities. Rather than focusing only on short-term fixes, Bhebhe encouraged efforts that enable communities to sustain improvements over time.

He further highlighted the importance of considering broader resources such as water, noting that “different energy technologies use completely different amounts of water, and that matters in regions where agriculture is central to livelihoods.” Bhebhe also pointed to Africa’s significant raw material endowments and encouraged efforts to build local manufacturing and value addition, saying, “We have the resources — we should also have the ability to benefit from them.” This, he explained, would help ensure that more of the advantages of new technologies can be realised within the continent.

Systems for the Future

Montmasson-Clair observed that effective approaches to clean energy start with people and communities, noting that “energy is ultimately about people, and the choices we make should reflect that.” Responding to a question about how to design beneficial partnerships, he stressed the value of a clear and grounded vision, explaining that “real progress is visible in everyday life — in reliable electricity, clean water, proper roads and safe sanitation.” He added that showing improvement in areas that have historically had limited services is central to building trust and momentum.

He highlighted the importance of partnerships that connect government, financial institutions and local entrepreneurs, saying, “No one can move forward alone, partnerships are how we unlock practical solutions.” Montmasson-Clair pointed out that many emerging innovators require relatively modest levels of support to establish workshops, enterprises or factories, yet face challenges when seeking smaller amounts of finance. “If you ask for a large loan, doors open,” he remarked, “but the moment you need a smaller amount to get started, that’s where the hurdles appear.”

He encouraged institutions to explore financial tools that can support both large-scale projects and smaller, locally driven initiatives, adding that “backing early-stage innovators can strengthen entire communities.” In his view, this kind of practical, multi-level support can help local actors play a stronger role in delivering clean energy solutions.

A Shared Vision

Despite approaching the issue from different angles — policy, community experience and research — the panellists converged on several shared points: progress needs to be people-centred, informed by local contexts and transparent in how decisions are made. They also agreed that young people have an important role to play across all stages, from idea generation to implementation.

Key Themes and Calls to Action

The discussions highlighted several interconnected insights: youth leadership is already contributing to the energy conversation; communities benefit when inclusion informs planning; and energy-related knowledge helps people participate more confidently in decision-making. The need for early skills development and pathways into green jobs was emphasised, along with the value of practical, Africa-informed approaches.

Speakers encouraged creating opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully, investing in early training and apprenticeships, supporting energy-related learning in schools and communities, considering affordability in all programme design, and ensuring that policies and initiatives are developed in close dialogue with the people they are intended to serve.

The Reverse Power Panel served as a constructive, youth-focused space for sharing ideas on how Africa can expand the use of renewable energy in ways that are practical and community-informed. From the musical opening to the closing reflections, every segment reinforced that moving towards cleaner energy is not only about technology; it also involves planning, participation and collaboration.

The event was coordinated by the Global Citizen Fellows, whose work shaped an engaging and well-structured afternoon. The programme concluded with Hope Dlamini, one of the Fellows, who thanked participants and encouraged continued youth involvement, innovation and collaboration in advancing clean energy and scaling up renewables in Africa.

Taken together, the conversations in the room suggested a positive outlook: with supportive policies, appropriate finance, strong partnerships and active youth participation, Africa’s renewable energy future can be both practical and inclusive.