SOUTH AFRICA, July 4 -- AS Africa accelerates its energy transition, young people are emerging as critical drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship and community transformation.

Discussions at the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) increasingly highlight the importance of ensuring that the continents youthful population is actively involved in shaping energy solutions, particularly in the area of clean cooking.

Despite remarkable progress in renewable energy investments, nearly one billion Africans still lack access to clean cooking technologies, relying instead on firewood, charcoal and other traditional biomass fuels.

This challenge disproportionately affects women and girls, but it also presents a significant opportunity for young people to l...