Tana Malinga
Global Citizen held its first Global Citizen NOW summit on African soil in Johannesburg, closing a year long campaign focused on expanding clean energy across the continent. The summit brought together presidents, global organisations, investors and youth leaders, all united around one goal, to power Africa’s future with affordable, renewable energy.
The campaign secured new commitments that will help produce 26.8 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, enough to power more than 17.5 million homes. These pledges move Africa closer to quadrupling its clean-energy capacity within the decade.
A major highlight came from Team Europe, which announced €15.5 billion in grants, loans and investments to support Africa’s energy transition. African governments, development banks and private companies also made bold promises, including plans for new solar, wind and battery storage projects, off-grid energy solutions, and investments that will create thousands of jobs.
Key private sector commitments included Harith General Partners increasing investment to 5 gigawatts, Octopus Energy growing its Power Africa fund to $450 million, and several companies, such as CrossBoundary Energy, Enertrag, Scatec, Sun King, Pele Energy and TransEnergy Global, confirming large scale projects to expand electricity access across the continent.
African Development Bank, Norway, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and Zambia also shared major national and regional plans to deliver new renewable energy infrastructure.
Alongside energy, the summit highlighted global health. Leaders celebrated the Global Fund’s $11.34 billion raised to fight HIV, TB and malaria, programmes that have saved 70 million lives since 2002.
Speakers included President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, and top African innovators, artists, entrepreneurs and activists.
The event also honoured winners of the Global Citizen & PayPal Small Business Impact Awards, recognising young entrepreneurs creating solutions in sustainability, health, mobility and climate technology.
This first African edition of Global Citizen NOW marked a powerful moment of unity. With billions committed and partners across sectors stepping forward, Africa is now closer than ever to building a cleaner, brighter and more energy secure future.
PHOTOS BY : GETTY IMAGES
About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday advocates raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the corporate sector. Since the movement began, $5049
