Africa possesses 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources, yet the continent receives only a small share of global clean energy investments, according to Dr Michael David, Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP).
Dr David made the remarks during the 2026 Africa Day commemoration in Abuja, highlighting Africa’s renewable energy potential and the urgent need for investment. Africa Day celebrates the continent’s resilience, achievements, and unity.
He noted that Africa also has extensive wind corridors in the north and south, untapped geothermal energy along the East African Rift, and rivers with significant hydroelectric potential. The continent is also rich in lithium, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, essential for renewable energy storage technologies.
“The paradox is striking: Africa, which contributes least to climate change, holds the resources critical to solving it,” Dr David said. He urged African leaders to focus on **clean energy, youth empowerment, and pan-African cooperation to address energy poverty, climate change, and food insecurity.
Dr David advocated for a continent-wide energy grid, allowing solar power generated in the Sahara to illuminate homes in West Africa. He also emphasized that climate adaptation is a necessity, not a luxury, and highlighted the funding gap, with the African Development Bank estimating Africa needs over 50 billion dollars annually, yet receives far less.
He praised African youth, who are already driving change by building solar micro-grids, developing drought-resistant crops, and creating climate risk platforms to aid smallholder farmers.
