Sustainable Energy Transition in Africa: Which way?

• Florence School of Transnational Governance

We welcome Lapo Pistelli, Director of Public Affairs of Eni, to discuss his views on sustainable energy transition in Africa

Africa's widening energy access gap simultaneously creates a problematic choice for policymakers and citizens between intensifying the utilisation of fossil fuel resources (which the continent has in abundance) or pursuing low-carbon growth with technologies and funds (which the continent lacks). While the emergence of decentralised solutions, technological developments, natural resource abundance, and falling costs of renewable energy in Africa are all opening new opportunities and making a real business case for renewables, Africa receives less than two percent of all investments in renewable energy. In addition, the quest for climate-friendly energy sources can be a threat to or an opportunity for both dominant fossil-fuel-based companies on the continent and African countries that are heavily dependent on fossil-fuel revenues. How these companies and countries perceive the global discourse on sustainable energy transition and what direction they would take remain a puzzle. This public lecture on sustainable energy transition in Africa is an invitation to deliberate on this dilemma and articulate possible answers to the puzzle.

The Florence School of Transnational Governance is delighted to welcome Mr Lapo Pistelli for a public lecture on sustainable energy transition in Africa. The event is an invitation to deliberate on this dilemma and articulate possible answers to the puzzle. In addition to Mr Pistelli’s intervention, the event will serve as an occasion for a dialogue with a panel from the EUI community, as well as the broader public (via an open Q&A). 

Lapo Pistelli is Director of Public Affairs of Eni and former member of the Italian Parliament and European Parliament. He also served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy from 2013 to 2015. He has taught and lectured at the University of Florence, the Overseas Studies Program of Stanford University and many other international academic institutions. He is member of the board of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), and member of the WE – World of Energy editorial committee. He also collaborates with Limes and Aspenia magazines. He’s Chairman of OMEC (Observatoire Mediterranéen de l’Energie du Climat). 

The event will be held in the Elinor Ostrom room at Palazzo Buontalenti, the premises of the Florence School of Transnational Governance, EUI. All are welcome to attend. Please register, indicating if you will attend in person or online.