Equity Driven Energy Transition
Africa faces a significant energy challenge amidst rapid economic growth and increasing demands for resilience and sustainability. Addressing this challenge sustainably is crucial for the continent's development. According to IRENA, Africa possesses abundant renewable energy resources such as hydro, solar, and wind, with recent technological advancements making these options increasingly viable and cost-effective. Despite these opportunities, a large portion of Africa's population still lacks access to modern energy services like electricity and clean cooking fuels. State-led efforts have predominantly favored fossil-fueled and techno-centric energy production models.
FIDEP Foundation believes that it is feasible to develop climate-resilient communities and implement a community-owned, sustainable energy system that respects the diverse lifestyles of African communities while ensuring universal energy access.
The Energy Transition Programm focuses on three key research needs: optimizing Africa's vast renewable energy resources to sustainably meet growing energy demands, developing human-centered design approaches that respect the rights and lifestyles of diverse communities, and building alliances between the research community and grassroots civil society organizations to promote a climate-safe, socially-owned, just, and sustainable energy system for Africa.
Advancing Coastal Resilience and Accountability in Ghana’s Offshore Oil and Gas Districts
Here is the observed truth: oil and gas exploration has left a trail of environmental destruction, depleted fisheries, and livelihoods hanging by a thread. It’s deepened inequalities and scarred the landscapes that sustain millions.
The Coastal Community Redress Platform is local initiative for justice. It aims to empower fisherfolk, women, and youth to rise against systemic exploitation, reclaim their rights, and demand a future that prioritizes people over profits.
This platform challenges the entrenched systems of elite capture that perpetuate inequality, ensuring oil revenues flow into the pockets of the few while communities are left to endure the fallout. Armed with tools like the Offshore Redress Portal and TIMBY, the platform transforms communities into watchdogs, documenting violations and exposing the corruption that thrives in the shadows.
Through this platform we addresses decades of weak policy enforcement and government neglect by forging a coalition of grassroots organizations, traditional leaders, and reform-driven institutions. And we use this platform to send out a call to action for every stakeholder to stand with Ghana’s coastal communities in their demand for effective redress mechanisms.
