- Communities across Africa are coming together to mark one year of REPower Afrika, a bold campaign advocating for decentralized, people-powered renewable energy solutions.
- Offline mobilizations are taking place in Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), uniting communities, civil society, and youth leaders in a shared call for energy justice, equity, and urgency in Africa’s transition.
In Hoima, Uganda, the Oil Refinery Residents Association (ORRA) is convening a community energy forum, creating space for farmers and resettled families affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to share their lived experiences and visions for a just energy future. Meanwhile, in Tanga, Tanzania, the Partnership for Green Future (PGF) is hosting a similar community celebration and stakeholder dialogue, bringing together residents, youth leaders, and local policymakers. Both gatherings include storytelling, open dialogue, and reflections on one year of REPower, with panels focused on community needs and policy gaps. Participants are encouraged to contribute to a “Vision Wall” where they can share their energy dreams, and engage with a “Call to Action” station featuring petitions and volunteer sign-ups—collectively envisioning accessible, socially owned energy systems that can power homes, schools, and small businesses.
“This is a celebration of action, resilience, and community power. From Hoima to Tanga to Kinshasa, communities are showing what a people-centered energy transition looks like. We are not just resisting fossil fuel expansion, we are building a new future powered by justice and collective imagination.” said Lynn Kamande, Regional Campaign Organiser at 350Africa.org
In Kinshasa, DRC, the Mouvement des Jeunes pour la Protection de l’Environnement (MJPE) has organized a creative action at the symbolic Échangeur de Limete, where 30 participants, including volunteers from Greenpeace Africa and the Laudato Si Movement, are gathering with banners, posters, and a clear message: fossil fuel dependency must be replaced with clean, just, locally led energy alternatives.
To mark this milestone, 350Africa.org and the Afrika Vuka network are also launching a new creative advocacy tool, the Solar Samurai: The Comic Book. It’s a storytelling project that brings the campaign’s vision to life through art. The comic follows African communities standing up to fossil fuel companies and pushing for clean, just, and community-owned energy solutions. The comic is freely available for public download and is meant to inspire communities, students, and youth activists. It was created as part of the campaign’s broader public education strategy.
Since its launch on July 18, 2024, REPower Afrika has driven more than 25 actions across the continent, building community networks, supporting local organizing, convening dialogues, and expanding the narrative around energy and climate justice in Africa. This anniversary is not just a reflection on the past year, but a collective call to deepen our organizing, demand urgent investment in decentralized renewable energy, and continue placing communities at the heart of the transition.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
