Africa: A Just Energy Transition Cannot Leave Water Behind

What the report says

In a guest column distributed by AllAfrica and published by Bird Story Agency, Dr Jonty Cogger and Paul Wani Lado argue that Africa’s push to expand electricity access and industrial growth should not overlook water constraints. The piece uses South Africa as its main example, saying any proposed fossil fuel or gas project should be judged not only on energy and economic claims, but also on how much water it would consume and what that would mean for nearby communities.

The authors say this question is especially pressing in South Africa because the country already faces water scarcity, unreliable services and aging infrastructure. They also point to climate change, including hotter conditions, drought risk and less predictable rainfall, as factors that could further strain rivers, dams, farming and household supply. The argument is framed ahead of COP31 as part of a broader call for a just energy transition.

Their central message is that water should be treated as a hard limit in planning, not an afterthought. They urge governments to require public, independently checkable assessments of water demand, sources, system capacity and drought impacts before approving new fossil fuel or related industrial projects, including pipelines and power stations. The column says communities should not be left with less reliable water so that energy or industrial expansion can proceed.