President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the international community to align with Africa’s ambition to build a clean, inclusive, and sustainable energy future. Speaking ahead of the Global Citizen NOW summit in Johannesburg on November 21, he emphasized that Africa’s time to lead in renewable energy is now.
The summit, hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre, will focus on expanding renewable energy access and driving equitable growth across the continent. “Africa’s moment is now,” Ramaphosa said. “Through decisive action and global solidarity, we can accelerate a just transition that creates lasting opportunities and strengthens shared progress.”
Central to the event is the Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign, co-led by Ramaphosa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with support from the International Energy Agency. The initiative aims to provide clean energy access to 10 million households, with 4.6 million already pledged, and to quadruple Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to Africa’s clean energy future, while Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema stressed the importance of investing in solar, hydro, and wind power to ensure industrial growth and climate resilience.
The summit will bring together heads of state, investors, and global change-makers to advance Africa’s renewable transition and reinforce its role as a leader in sustainable development.
