UN Urges Shift from Aid to Investment in Africa’s Renewable Future

Africa has the potential to emerge as a global leader in renewable energy but must attract investment rather than rely on aid, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Japan, Guterres stressed that Africa’s vast solar, wind, and mineral resources should be harnessed to drive sustainable development on the continent and beyond.

“We must mobilise finance and technology so that Africa’s natural wealth benefits its people. Building a strong renewable energy and manufacturing base across the continent is key,” he told delegates.

He noted that green energy in Africa would not only cut electricity costs and expand supply chains but also accelerate global decarbonisation efforts.

The call comes as many African economies struggle under mounting debt burdens, shrinking Western aid, and the effects of climate change and conflict. China’s once-booming infrastructure financing through its Belt and Road Initiative has also slowed, leaving countries grappling with what analysts describe as a “tidal wave” of debt to Beijing and private lenders.

Guterres warned that “debt must not drown development,” urging multilateral development banks to expand concessional financing and increase lending capacity.

High-level African leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Kenya’s President William Ruto, joined the forum. Ruto later revealed that Kenya was in discussions with Japanese automaker Toyota to provide 5,000 electric mobility vehicles as part of its clean energy agenda.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also announced initiatives, including training 30,000 Africans in artificial intelligence over the next three years and exploring a Japan-Africa Economic Partnership.

Both Tinubu and Ramaphosa echoed the UN’s call, emphasising that Africa needs investment-driven partnerships rather than traditional aid handouts.