United Nations and International Solar Alliance Collaborate to Boost Renewable Energy in Africa

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations and the International Solar Alliance are working together to provide Africa with the necessary technical and financial support to accelerate renewable energy development. This collaboration aims to complement the World Bank's Mission 300, which seeks to drive sustainable energy solutions on the continent by 2030. The mission, supported by US$48 billion in concessional funding, aims to electrify 300 million Africans.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations and the International Solar Alliance are collaborating to provide Africa with technical and financial support for renewable energy development.
  • The World Bank's Mission 300 aims to catalyse decisive action and drive sustainable energy solutions on the continent by 2030, with US$48 billion in concessional funding.
  • The mission seeks to electrify 300 million Africans and has been supported by public-private partnerships.
  • Renewable energy, such as solar, offers the fastest and least-cost path to reach underserved communities in Africa.
  • Africa must invest in its renewable energy potential, with sovereign wealth institutes, pension funds, and local banks holding the capital to fund distributed renewable energy projects.
  • The International Solar Alliance has observed that Africa attracts less than three per cent of global solar investments, a chronic underinvestment that slows the pace of electrification.
  • The Africa Solar Facility (ASF) is being launched with a target of US$200 million to offer flexible, cost-effective, and impactful financial solutions to catalyse solar projects across the continent.
  • Africa requires about US$90 billion annually to achieve universal energy access by 2030, according to former Ghanaian Minister of Finance Seth Terkper.
  • The collaboration aims to build a strong political and investor consensus around the Africa Solar Facility, exchange ideas, network, and contribute to the advancement of solar energy.

Statistics:

  • Less than three per cent of global solar investments go to Africa, classified as a chronic underinvestment.
  • Over 600 million people on the continent lack access to electricity.
  • Africa requires about US$90 billion annually to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
  • The International Solar Alliance aims to mobilise US$1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
  • The Africa Solar Facility (ASF) has a target of US$200 million to catalyse solar projects across the continent.

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency, 04 September 2025
  • Quote from Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All
  • Quote from Mr Ashish Khanna, Director General of ISA
  • Quote from Mr Seth Terkper, former Ghanaian Minister of Finance and Economic Planning