Powering Africa’s Future with Carlos Lopes & Jasandra Nyker

This episode examines Africa’s energy transition as both an economic strategy and a question of agency, featuring insights from Professor Carlos Lopes and investment leader Jasandra Nyker. They argue that while the world often views Africa through the narrow lens of risk, fragility, or aid dependency, the continent increasingly sees itself as a driver of innovation, industrialisation, and clean energy leadership. The energy transition, they contend, should not be framed as a moral obligation imposed from abroad but as a catalyst for productivity, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity.

They highlight Africa’s unmatched renewable resources, critical minerals and young workforce - assets capable of powering both local prosperity and the world’s clean energy industries. Yet progress is constrained by systemic financial distortions, inflated risk perceptions and global capital rules that penalise African economies.

Through examples from South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Zambia, the guests show how credible policy, blended finance, and domestic investment can unlock large-scale renewable projects and local economic development.

Their message is clear: Africa’s transition is a massive economic opportunity. Real leadership - within Africa and globally - is needed to revalue risk, reform financial rules and mobilise private and institutional capital for a just and ambitious transition.

Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn are joined by:
• Prof. Carlos Lopes — Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and leading advisor on Africa’s climate and industrialisation agenda
• Jasandra Nyker — investment executive and board director with deep experience scaling clean energy and sustainable infrastructure across Africa and beyond

Together, they explore how to accelerate progress — and how leaders can move beyond narratives of risk and dependency to recognise Africa as a laboratory for reinvention.

In partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and Investec.

Key Quotes
“Africa must stop seeing itself through the lens of risk and start seeing itself as a laboratory for reinvention.” — Carlos Lopes
“We need to see Africa’s energy transition not as a charity case, but as a massive commercial and economic opportunity.” — Jasandra Nyker

Key Takeaways
1. African leaders have an opportunity to take strategic ownership of Africa’s energy transition by setting ambitious targets, coordinating across governments and sectors, and balancing risk with the long-term goal of delivering energy access, industrial growth, and climate action simultaneously.
2. Integrate climate and economic development: the transition must drive industrialisation, job creation and resilience, not sit apart as a standalone climate agenda.
3. Recast the narrative: Africa’s transition isn’t about catching up; it’s about leading with its demographics, resource base and innovation potential.
4. Unlock domestic capital: African pension funds and institutional investors need to invest in the continent’s own transition, not remain passive while foreign capital dictates priorities.

Credits
Presented by:
• Lindsay Hooper, Chief Executive, CISL
• Marc Kahn, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Investec
Produced by: Carl Homer (Cambridge TV) & Alexa Sellwood
Executive Producer: Gillian Secrett
In partnership with: Investec

Listen and Subscribe:
Available on all major podcast platforms or visit the CISL Leadership Hub or Investec Focus for more episodes and insights.

Disclaimer:
The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation.