John Okoro: Investing in Clean Energy in Africa — Challenges and Opportunities

In this interview, Initiative Africa speaks with John Okoro, an energy and infrastructure expert who has worked across more than 30 African countries, about the challenges and opportunities shaping Africa's clean energy transition. With hundreds of millions of Africans still lacking access to electricity, he discusses the barriers to financing clean energy projects, investors' perceptions of risk, and the need for business models that make electricity affordable for local communities. From Kenya and Burundi to Nigeria and Zanzibar, John Okoro explores the initiatives transforming the energy sector, including renewable energy development, battery storage, smart grids and local manufacturing. He also shares his perspective on Africa's next major investment opportunities, particularly at the intersection of energy, artificial intelligence and data centres. Journalist: Asha Sumputh