Africa Has Everything It Takes to Become a “Renewable Superpower,” (Guterres)
Africa is poised to emerge as a “renewable superpower,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared on Thursday, calling for increased investments in green energy across this resource-rich continent.
“We must mobilise finance and technology, so that Africa’s natural wealth benefits African people, we must build a thriving renewables and manufacturing base across the continent,” Guterres said at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
“Africa has everything it takes to become a renewable superpower, from solar and wind to the critical minerals that power new technology,” he emphasized.
“Green power in Africa lowers energy costs, diversifies supply chains and accelerates decarbonisation for everyone,” the UN chief noted during this three-day gathering attended by representatives from approximately fifty African nations.
Guterres also warned that “debt must not drown development,” stressing that Africa requires financial support and enhanced lending capacity from multilateral development banks.
In his opening address on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiled a plan to train 30,000 individuals in artificial intelligence in Africa over the next three years and to explore the potential of an economic partnership between Japan and Africa.
“Africa, with a median age of 19, is bursting with youthful energy. The key to transforming Africa into the next growth center is to empower its youth and women while ensuring they have access to employment opportunities,” Ishiba remarked.
