As African countries advance their national development plans, there is pressure to phase out fossil fuels. Some policymakers argue however, that they should use their fossil fuel reserves to support economic growth, just as developed nations have done in the industrial era. Given the vast wind and solar power potential in Africa, wind power and other renewables have the potential to meet Africa’s energy needs with the added benefit that it would decarbonize their energy mix and create jobs. Africa has the opportunity to explore its wind potential and accelerate RE deployment to support clean industrialisation.