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Decarbonizing road passenger transport in Africa is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  “Passenger vehicles are a major contributor to road transport emissions. Advances in battery technology, manufacturing, and supportive policies are driving battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption, while synthetic fuels are also being explored as a complementary low-carbon option, notably by major automakers such as Volkswagen,” says a recent study published by Nature energy. 

“Africa has long been perceived as a marginal solar market. The Africa Solar Outlook 2026 demonstrates that this perception no longer reflects reality. Solar is already far more widespread than previously believed, and Africa is now experiencing the fastest solar growth of any region worldwide.”

As the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya has emerged as Africa’s leading example of anti-fossil-fuel leadership. With 90% of its grid powered by renewables, Kenya’s grid is more decarbonized than those of some wealthy European nations, where renewables account for about 63%. 

In the southern Tunisian city of Gabes, a green hydrogen project is in development, aiming to transform the local energy and economic landscape. However, this initiative faces objections from residents concerned about potential environmental risks, given Gabes’ history with polluting chemical industries.

Africa's clean energy sector is advancing rapidly, from solar-powered villages to large-scale wind and solar farms. Africa holds vast, underutilized renewable energy potential—solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal—but is now investing in renewable energy and consolidating its share of global clean energy consumption. Though the continent is making great strides toward a greener future, it still faces significant challenges in transitioning to clean energy.

Africa is rich in natural resources, yet it continues to face serious challenges in renewable energy. Despite its vast renewable energy potential, the continent struggles to generate enough power to meet its population's needs. Meanwhile, critical minerals like lithium are being extracted from countries like Zimbabwe and exported to fuel the green energy revolution in the developed world, leaving many Africans wondering who is really benefiting from their resources.

It is not uncommon to hear motor mechanics in Zimbabwe saying, "I don't do hybrids or electric cars." This means that they do not repair hybrid cars or electric vehicles. Finding spares or servicing a hybrid or electric vehicle in the country remains one of the biggest challenges. However, many people in Zimbabwe are now slowly embracing hybrid cars, particularly small compact vehicles like the Toyota Aqua, Toyota Prius, and Honda Fit, as well as subcompact crossover SUVs lik