It is not a deficit of resources that is holding Africa back but rather a deficit of belief in Africa’s prospects as a formidable player in the global political economy, African Union (AU) infrastructure and energy commissioner Lerato Mataboge said at the Youth Energy Summit, in Cape Town, on June 18.

“This is the antithesis of the AU’s Agenda 2063. Until we internally hold a positive view of ourselves and our continent, the Agenda 2063 moonshots will remain elusive. As the AU, we hold the firm belief in Africa’s positive and impactful role in the global economy, historically, currently and in the future,” she said.

Mataboge explained that the AU placed universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy at the core of its development aspirations.

Part of the Agenda 2063 roadmap is the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, which is accelerating transformative energy projects, from regional hydropower facilities to strategic interconnection corridors and cross-border electricity trade in an effort to strengthen Africa’s infrastructure backbone.

She also highlighted the African Single Electricity Market, launched in 2021, which she said could become the world’s largest integrated electricity market, unlocking billions in investment and enabling the flow of electricity across African borders.

Also part of the roadmap were initiatives such as the AU-EU Green Energy Initiative, Desert to Power and the African Renewable Energy Initiative, which are establishing the groundwork for a continent powered by renewables and driven by a just and inclusive energy transition.

In addition, Mataboge said the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa for 2020 to 2030 would “connect the dots” between digital innovation and energy, from smart grids and AI-powered systems to real-time data monitoring and predictive maintenance that enhance efficiency and resilience.

“[There] is a deep focus on energy infrastructure, recognising that energy is not only the engine of economic development, but the foundation of dignity, opportunity, and resilience.

“This is the Africa we must champion, where local capital is mobilised to solve local challenges, where African firms are at the forefront of infrastructure, innovation and transformation, and where inclusive leadership guides our path forward,” she said.

Mataboge also pointed to the future-shaping role of AI, noting that, if unlocked with strategic intent and committed purpose, it could accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063, as the AI economy was currently projected to contribute $1.2-trillion to $1.5-trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030.

“AI can optimise energy generation, predict equipment failures, and match demand and supply in real-time. It can turn erratic power into smart power. Already, startups in Ghana and Rwanda are using AI to predict solar output, enabling rural mini-grids to run more efficiently,” she said.

However, Mataboge stressed that AI must not result in advancing inequality, stating that it must be trained on African realities, powered by African data and governed by African values.

“As part of the AU Digital Transformation Strategy, we are working to develop ethical AI frameworks that will ensure inclusivity, transparency, and relevance to Africa’s unique energy landscape.”

“Africa needs youth-led AI innovation hubs that intersect energy, climate, and digital technology. Energy access is not just a development goal. It is the foundation for AI inclusion, digital sovereignty, and economic resilience,” she said.

In this light, Mataboge highlighted the crucial role that the AU played in uplifting Africa’s youth.

“With approximately 60% to 70% of Africans today under the age of 30, and with 42% of global youth touted to be of African descent by 2030, we are duty-bound to uphold and enable the realisation of the objectives of the African Youth Charter,” she said.

She urged African governments to cultivate enabling ecosystems, where youth were not just beneficiaries, but drivers of energy innovation and policy. She also called on partners and stakeholders to invest not only in the steel and wires of infrastructure, but in Africa’s youth as they would be the stewards in future.

“We . . . are navigating uncharted territory, reimagining infrastructure, embracing renewable energy, and designing smarter, more inclusive systems to power our economies and communities. The road [ahead] is not without complexity, but the destination holds transformational promise,” Mataboge said.