Ramaphosa Champions Historic Renewables Pledges for Africa

In a powerful push for Africa’s green future, President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed billions in new commitments to boost renewable energy across the continent. Speaking at the Global Citizen Scaling Up Renewables in Africa event in Johannesburg on 21 November 2025, he stressed that while the pledges are a great start, the true measure of success will be in turning them into real projects that benefit everyday people. The gathering, held alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, capped a year-long campaign under South Africa’s G20 presidency. It comes just before the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 22 and 23 November 2025 at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Gauteng, where global talks will focus on solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
The event saw governments, development groups, and private firms confirm €15.5 billion in total pledges since the campaign began in November 2024. These funds are set to generate nearly 26.8 gigawatts of clean power, enough to bring electricity to over 17.5 million households. For a continent where more than half the people in sub-Saharan Africa lack reliable power, this could spark major growth in jobs, health, and education. Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s own progress, with over 17 gigawatts of renewables already installed and a goal to reach 45 gigawatts by 2035 through its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and Renewable Energy Masterplan.

The Pledges in Focus: A Game-Changer for Clean Energy

The highlight was von der Leyen’s announcement of a €7 billion pledge from Team Europe, one of the biggest single commitments to Africa’s clean energy shift. She called it Europe “standing with Africa now and in future,” praising the campaign’s journey and the partners who made it happen. “What a great journey. So many partners. And now it’s time to take stock… It is extraordinary. The world has stepped up for Africa. The final tally of our campaign is €15.5 billion in total and now, in addition, you heard it, commitments announced will generate almost 27 gigawatts of clean power and will bring renewable electricity to 17.5 million households… This is more than funding. This is power for millions of people, fuel for progress, and this is hope for the future,” von der Leyen said.
Other pledges added to the momentum. For instance, CrossBoundary Energy committed US$1 billion for operating and in-construction projects by 2030, targeting reliable power for Africa’s commercial and industrial sectors. Ireland pledged €5 million to the International Energy Agency’s Clean Energy Transitions Programme, focusing on sustainable growth. These join earlier contributions, like those from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and various multilateral banks, showing a mix of public and private support.
Evans described the scale as a “turning point for Africa’s energy transition,” saying, “This is what extraordinary leadership looks like, partnership grounded in ambition and focused on impact.” He noted that the €15.5 billion covers one-sixth of the investment needed for Africa to meet its energy and climate targets by 2030, doubling the continent’s current renewable capacity. The campaign, part of Global Citizen’s work to end extreme poverty, has rallied over 4.3 million actions worldwide, from petitions to advocacy events.

Ramaphosa’s Emphasis: From Promises to People-Centred Action

Ramaphosa was clear that pledges alone are not enough. “The funding pledged today is only the first step. The real test will lie in implementation. That is whether the pledges we made today will indeed be realised. I say advisedly, because I don’t only want to smell the money, I don’t only want to touch it, I want to see it being spent. It must be spent here in Africa to realise the dreams of African people on this continent,” he said. He urged that the transition must uplift workers, communities, and young entrepreneurs, with African ownership at its core.
He added that the process must be people-centred: “This must be people centred, the various communities that we talk about as we make these announcements must be the ones that are the beneficiaries, the households we say we are going to light up must be the ones that benefit the most.” Ramaphosa called for discipline, partnerships, and a firm commitment to action, ensuring investments build local skills, manufacturing, and innovation. “These initiatives will ensure that the next gigawatts of renewable energy are built through local skills, local manufacturing and local innovation. Scaling renewables across Africa is essential for inclusive economic development,” he explained.
The President also tied the pledges to South Africa’s G20 theme, saying they affirm global confidence in Africa’s potential. “The scale of the commitments we have witnessed today are extraordinary. They affirm the relevance of our G20 theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” he noted. He thanked all who pledged, declaring, “I want to thank everyone who has made a pledge, we say thank you, indeed Africa is on the rise and we call everyone to join in the rise of this continent.”

Africa’s Vast Potential: Untapped Resources Waiting for Investment

Africa holds immense renewable energy promise, with 60% of the world’s best solar sites and strong wind, hydro, and geothermal options. Yet, it attracts only 3% of global clean energy investments, leaving over 600 million without electricity. The campaign aims to change this by funding solar farms, wind turbines, mini-grids, and storage systems. For example, projects could electrify rural areas, where traditional grids fall short, and support industries to create jobs.
South Africa’s experience offers a model. Its Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has drawn billions in investment, adding gigawatts to the grid and easing load-shedding. Similar efforts in Kenya, with its Lake Turkana Wind Power project, and Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate solar complex show what’s possible. The pledges could expand these, focusing on community-owned models to ensure locals benefit directly, like through cheaper power bills or shares in projects.

Global Citizen’s Role: Mobilising Voices for Change

Global Citizen’s year-long drive has put Africa’s energy needs on the world stage. Evans called the results “what real progress looks like,” born from millions raising their voices for a just energy future. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he reminded that poverty can be beaten through human action. The organisation’s events, like the Global Citizen Festival, have amplified calls for renewables, tying them to ending poverty by 2030.
The campaign aligns with global goals, such as tripling renewables by 2030 from COP28 agreements. It also supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for sustainable development, urging fair access to finance without adding debt.

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Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa Champions Historic Renewables Pledges for Africa, Calls for Swift Action and Local Empowerment

Ramaphosa Champions Historic Renewables Pledges for Africa

The Pledges in Focus: A Game-Changer for Clean Energy

Ramaphosa’s Emphasis: From Promises to People-Centred Action

Africa’s Vast Potential: Untapped Resources Waiting for Investment

Global Citizen’s Role: Mobilising Voices for Change

centralnewsza #news #politics #ngwathe #feziledabi #freestate

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