How Africa Is Set to Harness Green Power as G20 Pledges Infrastructure and Investment

November 25, 2025 - Africa faces one of the world’s most pressing energy challenges. Hundreds of millions of people still lack reliable electricity, while frequent blackouts and dependence on polluting fuels constrain growth and development. At the recent G20 Summit in Johannesburg, global leaders pledged to change that narrative by backing clean energy expansion and infrastructure development across the continent.

For the first time, African energy challenges were central to the G20 agenda. Leaders committed to supporting the deployment of zero- and low-emission technologies tailored to national contexts. This includes expanding solar, wind, and hydropower capacity, as well as improving energy efficiency across industries and communities.

According to summit declarations, the G20 aims to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and double energy-efficiency improvements over the same period. The goal: ensure reliable, sustainable energy for millions who remain on the fringes of the modern economy.

Access to electricity is more than a convenience. It underpins health care, education, business growth, and technology adoption. Energy insecurity has held back rural communities, small businesses, and local industries. By scaling up clean energy, the G20 framework could enable microgrids, off-grid solar solutions, and community-driven energy projects that reach regions neglected by traditional infrastructure.

The summit also emphasised energy financing solutions, including concessional loans and risk-reduction mechanisms, to ensure African nations can attract investment without falling into debt traps. Initiatives such as Mission 300, supported by the World Bank and African Development Bank, aim to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, a landmark step toward universal energy access.

Africa’s growing population and industrial needs require a careful balance between rapid electrification and climate responsibility. By investing in renewables and clean technology, the G20 pledges to help African nations avoid the carbon-intensive development paths of the past, leapfrogging directly to sustainable energy systems.