The climate crisis necessitates a global transition to renewable energy that is not only fast but also fair: a shift that includes the creation of shared prosperity between state, private sector, and the frontline communities being asked to host vast renewable energy installations and transition mineral mines. This goes beyond traditional corporate social responsibility efforts and compensation for harms – long hallmarks of extractive industries – to direct benefit sharing mechanisms and initiatives for impacted communities, mandated by regulation.

Several countries across Africa are leading the way with legislative frameworks that have the potential to help deliver shared prosperity for the communities whose land and resources are crucial for the energy transition. Now is the moment for governments everywhere to build on the lessons learned from these frameworks to ensure equitable and effective direct benefit-sharing mechanisms with communities are a key element of the just energy transition going forward.

This report examines existing legislative frameworks for benefit sharing from six countries in Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We analyse the key principles and lessons these legislative frameworks offer, which have the potential to contribute to an energy transition that is equitable, sustainable and just.