In Short : UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a strong case at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD): Africa has the potential to become a global superpower in renewable energy. In order to guarantee that the continent’s enormous natural resources benefits its citizens and promotes a flourishing green energy and manufacturing ecosystem, he underlined the necessity of mobilizing finance and technology.
Unlocking the Green Resource Advantage of Africa
Rich solar and wind resources, as well as vital minerals that support cutting-edge technologies like energy storage and electric cars, are among Africa’s many renewable resources. Guterres called for a change in emphasis in order to develop local manufacturing capacities and transparent, fair supply chains in order to sustainably extract the most value from these resources.
An Inclusive Green Growth Vision
From the Horn of Africa, where more than 85% of electricity is generated by renewable sources, to nations like Mozambique that rely almost entirely on clean energy, Guterres highlighted instances of the continent’s green momentum. In order to expand green energy, create jobs, and power communities—particularly the 600 million people who lack electricity—he urged for the creation of an African Renewable Energy Alliance, driven by cooperation with governments, technological partners, and financiers.
More General Context: Global Assistance and Climate Justice
A clear call for climate justice was also included in the UN chief’s speech, which urged rich countries to pay to loss and damage funds, provide reasonably priced concessional loans, and reform international financial structures. He emphasized that providing access to clean energy is more than just an environmental necessity.
