Crocodile Economics Comes to Africa: Trade, Solar, and the New Energy Map - CleanTechnica

The article discusses a significant shift in the global energy and economic landscape, highlighting Africa as the emerging focal point for growth and energy transition. The concept of "crocodile economics"—where GDP grows while emissions decline—is already evident in much of the world, including Europe, North America, and increasingly China. The author argues that Africa, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is poised to become a major unified economic bloc, with 54 of 55 countries signed on and 48 ratified, representing 1.4 billion people and a $4.3 trillion combined GDP. This integration fosters predictable cross-border trade and continental supply chains, mirroring the European Coal and Steel Community’s role in Europe’s economic development. Simultaneously, Africa is experiencing a rapid increase in solar energy adoption, importing approximately 15 GW of solar panels in the year leading to mid-2025—a 60% increase from the previous year—with South Africa alone accounting for 3