On this episode of Beyond The Change host Abdimalik speaks with Dr. Daniel M. Kammen, Director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) at UC Berkeley, about whether Africa’s clean-energy promise is realistic — and how it can be made just.Using hard numbers and long-term research, we discuss why Africa’s future matters to the world: the continent is home to roughly 1.5 billion people today and could reach ~2.5 billion by 2050, yet only about 43% currently have access to electricity. Dr. Kammen draws on his work across major projects (from the Kenya–Ethiopia green corridor to Morocco’s energy transition) and his co-authored paper “The African Fulcrum to Bend the Curve of the Climate Crisis to a Just Transition” to unpack:Realistic timelines for scaling solar, wind, storage, and transmission.Differences between centralized grids and off-grid/mini-grid solutions for energy access.Four future emissions scenarios (low / mid / high / green-growth) and why green-growth matters.Methodologies for estimating future emissions and policy implications.The meaning and mechanics of a just transition: who benefits, who’s left behind, and how to design fair finance.Practical suggestions for governments, funders, and communities to keep Africa on a sustainable path.This episode blends big-picture climate questions with grounded, technical insight — essential listening for policymakers, energy practitioners, and anyone invested in an equitable energy future for Africa. Show notesGuest: Dr. Daniel M. Kammen — Professor, Energy & Resources Group; Director, RAEL, UC Berkeley. Research & examples referenced: Kenya–Ethiopia green corridor, Morocco’s green transformation, and the paper “The African Fulcrum to Bend the Curve of the Climate Crisis to a Just Transition.” Further reading:Dr Danial kammen profile : https://kammen.berkeley.edu/REAL: https://rael.berkeley.edu/ Research paper: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/ad61c3

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