Abu Dhabi/Freetown, 22 October 2025: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Government of Sierra Leone have officially launched the Second Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) Investment Forum, aimed at scaling up investments to drive the continent’s clean energy transition and green industrialisation.
Held from 22–23 October 2025 at the Freetown International Conference Centre, the forum gathers ministers, senior officials from APRA partner countries, investors, developers, and financial institutions for high-level policy dialogues, technical sessions, and matchmaking opportunities. A dedicated project exhibition provides regional developers with a platform to present renewable energy projects to global investors and financiers.
The event follows the launch of IRENA’s latest report at the Pre-COP in Brasília, which revealed that Africa contributed only 1.6% of newly installed renewable capacity in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced investment flows.
“Renewables have become the most affordable source of power generation, yet the gap between Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and actual deployment remains wide,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “Through the APRA Investment Forum, we are deploying our full range of facilitation tools and partnerships to de-risk projects, attract innovative financing, and ensure affordable capital reaches where it is most needed.”
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s leadership, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Energy Sector Lead and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF), said: “APRA is a vital initiative helping African nations accelerate renewable deployment to achieve SDG 7. Hosting this year’s forum reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing clean energy, especially following the signing of our USD 2.2 billion Mission 300 Compact, which targets raising the share of renewables from 46% to 52%.”
Building on the success of the inaugural APRA Forum in Nairobi—which mobilised a project pipeline worth USD 2.7 billion and around 1 gigawatt of potential renewable capacity—the 2025 edition will focus on advancing identified projects, strengthening investment readiness, and supporting implementation efforts across APRA member countries.
