Tackle energy access deficit, UN urges

DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed has underscored the urgent need to tackle Africa’s significant energy access deficit.

The UN boss highlighted the critical role energy plays in driving economic growth, development, and stability across the continent.

Ms Mohammed, who is also Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, was speaking during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, which opened yesterday at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.

She described the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, as a crucial step toward unlocking sustainable development across the continent.

Around 600 million people across Africa still lack access to electricity. Ms Mohamed said increasing access to electricity is not only essential for economic growth but also for realising the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in sectors like health, education and poverty alleviation.

“Economies can’t grow without power, and they certainly can’t deliver essential services. We have five years to ensure that the SDG agenda is realised and energy access is at the heart of this agenda,” Ms Mohammed stressed.

She suggested that sustainable growth for African economies depends on a balanced and inclusive energy transition that takes into account the unique needs and circumstances of the continent.

“We are not just talking about connecting homes. Energy will fuel the industries that will propel African economies forward,” insisted the Deputy UN Secretary-General.

According to Ms Mohammed, access to clean energy could transform livelihoods in rural communities, especially for women who are disproportionately affected by lack of power.

“This isn’t just about infrastructure, it is about empowering people, creating jobs, and ensuring that everyone can live with dignity,” she said.

Moreover, the deputy secretary general called for more international financing, urging global financial institutions and the private sector to step up their investments in Africa’s energy future.

“The financing we need is massive, and domestic resources alone are not enough.The international community must come together to support Africa’s energy transformation,” Ms Mohamed said.

Ms Mohamed acknowledged the challenges African governments face, particularly in navigating complex policy environments and securing the legal and regulatory frameworks needed to attract investment.

She called for more coordinated efforts to streamline policy making and regulatory processes to unlock financing, urging a focus on building strong institutions that can effectively implement energy programs on the ground.

In addition to the economic and social impacts, Ms Mohamed made a compelling case for the link between energy access and peace on the continent.

She further stressed that providing energy to marginalised and rural communities could be a key factor in preventing violence and fostering stability.

“If we cannot power up people’s lives, we will not see peace.” The deputy secretary general stressed that countries must integrate energy access into their broader peace-building efforts, ensuring that energy becomes a tool for conflict resolution and not a source of division.

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On the other hand, Mohamed also turned the spotlight on the role of Africa’s vast mineral resources in the global energy transition.

Referring to a recent UN report on critical minerals, she highlighted how Africa’s wealth in minerals essential for renewable energy technologies such as lithium, cobalt and nickel can position the continent as a key player in the future energy market.

She called for a fair and sustainable approach to mining that benefits Africa economically while adhering to global environmental standards.

“Africa has an unprecedented opportunity to shape the global energy future, but we must do so in a way that ensures local communities’ profit and the environment is protected,” Ms Mohamed said.