“Africa is rich in solar energy but poor in investments; the continent holds 60% of the world’s solar potential but attracts less than 3% of global energy funding,” stated Claver Gatete at the conclusion of the High-Level Political Forum held this week in New York.
The continent, he emphasized, “is not just asking for help; it is offering solutions. Energy is not just a public good, it is a driver for job creation, industry, and transformation.”
More than 600 million people across the continent remain without access to electricity, with rising energy demand due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and Africa’s industrial ambitions, Gatete noted, adding, “While the world talks about energy transition, much of Africa remains stuck in energy deprivation.”
Illustrating with examples of children studying by candlelight, clinics operating without electricity, and livelihoods limited due to lack of power, the UN’s head of the economic division in Africa stressed that “energy poverty remains a significant barrier to development across the continent” and advocated for a new model for financing energy investments.
“We need a new agreement on energy financing that supports innovation, strengthens grids, and builds clean energy industries benefiting both people and the planet,” proposed Claver Gatete.
Africa, he admitted, is “a paradox of potential and neglect,” hosting abundant resources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy yet still largely ignored by international investments.
In a press release, Gatete reiterated that Africa’s energy transformation must move from the margins to the center of the global development agenda, not only for climate resilience but also for sustainable growth, economic justice, and shared prosperity.
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the UN’s central platform for reviewing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), taking place until Friday in New York, with a series of meetings and seminars bringing together governments, UN entities, and stakeholders to assess challenges and devise solutions.
