On September 17, 2025, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, in partnership with Prosperity, Not Poverty, hosted a private roundtable on energy access and poverty in Africa, moderated by Senior Fellow Jonathan Berkshire Miller, and featured keynote remarks from international energy and geopolitics expert Professor Brenda Shaffer.
In her remarks, Professor Shaffer examined the role of energy—particularly fossil fuels—in addressing persistent poverty across the continent. Participants explored the constraints imposed by current climate finance policies, assessed the implications of global energy strategies for African nations, and discussed practical solutions to expand reliable and affordable energy access.
Professor Shaffer emphasized the need to align energy policy and financing with Africa’s development priorities; the importance of inclusive dialogue across government, academic, and business sectors; and the value of balancing international development goals with African agency in shaping sustainable energy futures.
Following her remarks, the floor was open for attendees to discuss the best ways of advancing energy access in Africa and the importance of open, informed engagement between governments, development institutions, and the private sector to ensure that global energy transitions support, rather than hinder, development objectives.
