Morocco has positioned itself as the driving force behind Africa’s energy transformation, combining strategic investments, institutional innovation, and regional partnerships to address the continent’s energy paradox, according to a new analysis by global energy expert Mehmet Öğütçü.

Despite Africa possessing over 60 percent of global solar potential and vast critical mineral reserves, more than 590 million Africans lack electricity access. Öğütçü, president of Global Resource Partnership, argues in his Policy Center for the New South study that Morocco’s approach offers a blueprint for overcoming governance failures that perpetuate this disparity.

The kingdom’s strategy centers on comprehensive electrical grid modernization through decentralized production systems. This territorial approach creates resilient regional clean energy hubs adapted to local conditions while enhancing national supply security. Morocco has effectively balanced local autonomy with national coordination, demonstrating scalable solutions for diverse African contexts.

Financial innovation underpins Morocco’s energy transition success. The country leverages green bonds, carbon markets, and fintech mechanisms to attract international investors and mobilize capital. This diversified funding approach, combined with streamlined administrative processes and private sector liberation, has created a thriving ecosystem for renewable energy enterprises and clean technology services.

Regional energy integration forms another strategic pillar. Through platforms like MASEN and the Green Partnership, Morocco facilitates south-south cooperation, including electrical interconnections, knowledge transfers, and continental projects. The country trains African engineers, supports joint ventures, and explores emerging sectors like green hydrogen and solar irrigation.

Morocco’s development of local value chains around strategic resources—cobalt, lithium, rare earths—extends beyond energy production. This industrial sovereignty approach generates qualified employment while building continental resilience, proving that African-led energy transitions can deliver dignity, opportunities, and sustainable development.