NAIROBI (News Wires) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed that Africa is in urgent need of massive investments to support sustainable development pathways for its peoples, calling for the continent’s vast natural resources to be utilised in a fair and sustainable manner.
Speaking during the opening session of the Africa–France Summit, currently being hosted in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Guterres addressed an audience that included President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron, leaders from nearly 30 African nations, heads of international financial institutions, business leaders and development partners.
The UN chief noted that Africa is experiencing temperature increases at rates higher than the global average, warning that this trend is adversely affecting agricultural productivity, deepening economic shocks and exacerbating food insecurity across the continent.
Guterres also criticised what he described as the fragmentation of the global trading system, arguing that it contributes to rising inflation, increases the risks of food insecurity and worsens humanitarian conditions in several African countries.
He pointed out that Africa receives less than 2 per cent of global investments directed toward clean energy, despite its rapidly growing needs in the sector. In this regard, he stressed the importance of doubling the continent’s clean energy production capacity by 2040, especially as millions of Africans continue to lack access to electricity.
The secretary-general further emphasised that African countries must be the primary beneficiaries of their natural resources, while adhering to environmental standards, human rights principles and transparency in supply chains.
He also warned against the environmental consequences associated with certain mining activities.
