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Powerlines.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says over the past year, through the G20, South Africa has advanced the action plan for clean cooking, supported by off-grid energy solutions.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the final pledging event of ‘Scaling Up Renewables for Africa’, in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The pledge comes at the back of a year-long campaign, launched at the G20 Summit in Rio, to mobilise financing for clean energy, electrification, and clean cooking solutions across the continent.
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says Africa’s vast potential must be harnessed for the benefit of its people. He says this can be done through decisive action and global solidarity to accelerate the continents clean energy revolution. The event saw global countries making further pledges to Africa’s energy fund.
Today I had the great pleasure of delivering an input at the G20 Africa Investment Forum. Africa’s minerals endowments, in addition to its energy (coal, gas, oil, wind, solar & hydro) abundance means it is poised to champion the next industrial revolution. Africa’s time is Now!! pic.twitter.com/j2ZlPKWegV
— Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (@Kgosientsho_R) November 21, 2025
“The world’s most abundant renewable energy resources, as in solar, wind, and hydro. Yet some 40% of Africa’s population has no access to electricity. This energy poverty impacts nearly every facet of life, from clean cooking to access to medicines, to quality education, as well as to economic activity. The scaling up of renewables in Africa initiative was born of the need to expand energy across the continent. We support an energy-secure future for Africa that harnesses the human and technological potential of the continent,” says Ramaphosa.
President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission says $2t was invested into clean energy last year, however, only 2% went into Africa. She says Africa needs more investment into clean energy, as the continent holds great potential in clean emissions.
Von der Leyen adds that clean energy will in turn power economic growth.
On the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, it is a privilege to join you for the culmination of a year-long effort to expand energy access across Africa.#G20SouthAfrica
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 21, 2025
“It means Africa’s entrepreneurs can get online and get skilled jobs and stronger industries. It also means more opportunities for Africa’s young people. For all these reasons, investing in Africa’s energy future is the right choice and the smart choice. Europe has already made its choice and major investments in clean energy for Africa through our global gateway investment strategy including modern power grids, transmission lines to rural areas, batteries to store renewable once the sun goes down,” she adds.
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