Energy crisis and development issues in Africa: a critical need of strategic (diagonal and convergent) approach to integrate Africa into global economy

Africa is lagging behind and considered as a lost continent. In the face of globalization, Africa cannot claim for the 21^st century without integrating its economy into global production and trading system. Africa integration requires a comprehensive approach which ignite rapid structural transformation alleviating poverty and other societal illness, advancement in human development, capacity building and institutional development, reducing social and spatial conflicts and disparities, community empowerment, and the attainment of sustainable societies. Energy security can be achieved through a diagonal and convergent approach, which integrate four critical resource factors: water-energy-technology-knowledge. Integration of these critical factors provides the foundation for African development and transformation. Energy security is closely linked with economy, environment, and society. Conversely, energy insecurity produces poverty, deprivation of human development, institutional capacities, and good governance. With the above fundamental tenets, this paper focuses on the followings: 1. overview of the current status of Africa development issues in the light of the energy intensity in terms of production and consumption; 2. examine energy convergence potentials; and 4. emphasize the importance of a comprehensive (diagonal and convergent) approach linking water-energy-water-technology-, which create a framework to balance economy, environment, and society. Such a comprehensive approach is a must to transform Africa towards a knowledge-based continent and integration into the global economy