United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored Africa’s vast potential in renewable energy, particularly solar power, describing the continent as “ripe for investment” during remarks delivered at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

Guterres emphasized that Africa holds some of the world’s richest solar resources, yet continues to receive only a small fraction of global clean energy investment. He warned that this imbalance limits both economic development and the global energy transition.

According to him, unlocking Africa’s renewable energy capacity could transform the continent into a major power producer, capable of driving industrial growth, job creation, and climate resilience. He stressed that solar energy in particular represents a key opportunity for expanding electricity access across rural and urban areas.

Despite this potential, the UN chief noted that financing gaps remain a major barrier, calling for increased international investment and stronger partnerships between governments, development banks, and the private sector.

He also reiterated that accelerating clean energy deployment in Africa is not only a development priority but also a global climate necessity, given the continent’s strategic role in achieving international emissions targets.

The remarks were made as part of broader discussions at the summit focusing on green industrialization, energy transition, and sustainable economic growth across Africa.