Africa possesses an extraordinary 60 percent of the world's solar energy potential, yet it receives a meager 3 percent of global energy financing. This glaring disparity leaves over 600 million people across the continent without reliable electricity, even as rapid population growth, urban expansion, and ambitious industrial goals fuel an escalating demand for power. While global discussions often center on energy transitions, a significant portion of Africa remains trapped in energy deprivation, severely hindering fundamental development.
The human cost of this energy deficit is profound. Children in countless rural communities are forced to study by the dim, toxic glow of candlelight or kerosene lamps, limiting their learning hours and exposing them to harmful fumes. Health clinics struggle to operate effectively without consistent power, impacting vital services, and countless livelihoods are constrained by unreliable or nonexistent electricity. This pervasive energy poverty remains a critical barrier to progress and prosperity across the African continent.
Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), passionately advocated for a "new deal on energy finance." Speaking at a special session on energy transition in the global south during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York on July 15, Gatete addressed a gathering hosted by the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), UN DESA, and UNDP.
Gatete powerfully articulated Africa's situation as a "paradox of potential and neglect." He highlighted the continent's abundant, untapped resources—including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy—which are largely overlooked by international investors. "Africa isn’t just asking for help, it’s offering answers,” Gatete asserted, emphasizing that “Energy isn't just a public good. It’s a driver of jobs, industry, and transformation.”
He urged global partners to actively support the development of regional power networks, foster the localized manufacturing of clean energy technologies, and implement regulatory reforms designed to unlock private investment. The ECA, Gatete explained, is actively collaborating with African member states to expand energy access, enhance efficiency, and attract critical financing for energy infrastructure. This concerted effort includes supporting integrated energy plans, facilitating cross-border energy trade, and coordinating energy policies among African nations.
The session's discussions significantly contribute to broader HLPF deliberations on accelerating Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and the energy targets outlined in Agenda 2063. These discussions are crucial as the world looks ahead to the upcoming Summit of the Future and COP30. As the HLPF continues until July 18 at UN Headquarters in New York, Gatete reiterated that Africa’s energy transformation must be elevated from the periphery to the core of the global development agenda not just for climate resilience, but for achieving sustainable growth, economic justice, and shared prosperity for all.