A just and inclusive energy transition is increasingly recognized as a crucial consideration for achieving universal access, energy security, and decarbonizing energy systems. This transition must address existing socio-economic and energy inequalities and protect jobs in high-energy intensive sectors. This issue is particularly pressing in sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of people in Africa without access to electricity increased to 600 million in 2022 (IEA, 2022), representing nearly a 2% rise from 2019 partly due of COVID 19 pandemic (Li et al., 1234; Cozzi et al., 2020).

Expanding energy access has been an integral part of Africa's energy transition (Dagnachew et al., 2020). For instance, in 2022, South Africa adopted the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (Blissett, 2023; Winkler et al., 2023), aimed at shifting from coal to cleaner energy systems in an inclusive and economically sustainable manner, without compromising jobs in the other sectors (Musango and Ouma-Mugabe, 2024). Other countries with energy transition plans or strategies include Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda (Adewuyi et al., 2020; Komendantova, Singh and Mansaray, 2021; Kruger, 2022; International Energy Agency, 2023; Sefa-Nyarko, 2024).

These plans acknowledge the importance of technological innovation in low carbon energy transitions. However, there is limited information on how the transition will happen in a just and socially inclusive manner. More knowledge is needed on how specific energy technologies can drive transformative changes. Energy transitions are systemic and must be managed to ensure the entire energy system's transformation is sustainable (Moallemi et al., 2014). A just and sustainable energy transitions require long-term systemic transformations and significant societal involvement. Many strategies for engaging society in energy and climate change issues fall short by focusing on isolated forms of participation within specific parts of broader systems (Chilvers et al., 2021). Lastly, gender, as a socio-cultural factor in the energy innovation process, is often overlooked (Khaemba and Kingiri, 2021). There is limited documentation on how energy insecurity affects genders differently within informal settlements (Johnson, Gerber and Muhoza, 2019; Anditi et al., 2022; Chen, Liao and Zhang, 2024). Integrating gender perspectives into energy innovations could significantly enhance adoption rates in informal settlements and improve livelihoods by alleviating energy insecurity and poverty (Chirambo, 2018; Pueyo, Carreras and Ngoo, 2020).

The objectives of the panel session are therefore designed to address these critical issues, share insights, and foster actionable strategies to enhance expansion of energy access across the continent. The session aims to bring together experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss the multifaceted aspects of sustainable energy and its role in Africa’s development. The specific objectives include:

- To discuss the major obstacles in the expansion of renewable energy in Africa, including infrastructural, financial, regulatory, and socio-economic.

- To highlight successful projects, technologies, and policies that have effectively increased sustainable energy access in various African regions.

- To discuss just and sustainable energy access initiatives across Africa, addressing the needs of marginalized communities and promoting gender equity.