By Helen Perham
On the sidelines of the UNGA80, I joined my colleague, Liz Nelson, CEET Program Manager, and partners from the UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub for a discussion on the green and digital transitions in Africa. The event, hosted by Global Youth Philanthropy and Global Sustainable Education and Leadership (G-SEL) Network, welcomed guests and panelists to the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York. Louis Cheick Sissoko, President of the African Union ECOSOCC, delivered opening remarks that included a call for multilateral participation among all states in the union.
The first panel discussion included remarks by four leaders in sustainability from both advocacy and project-based institutions. Panelists included Wendy Wu, Global Youth Climate Scholar (COP30) and President, SCA Climate and Sustainability Club; James Gutman Senior Analyst – Investing in Energy at S&P Global; Sarah Oppenheimer, Director for Communications, Policy, and Partnerships at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP); and Emilie McGlone, Executive Director for Peace Boat US and Blue Planet Alliance Global Ambassador. Moderated by Josh Oxby, Global Focal Point for the SDG7 Youth Constituency, the panelists investigated the potential regulatory frameworks and roadblocks of foreign and regional investment and exports of renewable energy. Panel members advocated for equitable and safe renewable energy investments throughout the supply chain, including the raw materials manufacturing needed to support economic growth in many developing countries on the continent.
Riad Meddab, Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub at UNDP, joined the Programmes and Partnership Lead from G-SEL, Joy Osomiamhe-O, for a discussion on innovation and economic growth driven by the strategic use of domestic raw materials such as minerals and renewable energy. Mr. Meddeb reflected on one key challenge: “the continent hosts 20% of the world’s population, 80% of people without access to energy, and yet receives just 2% of global green energy Investment.” The risk identified here is one of inequity in the global digital-green transformation. One approach to closing this gap is to link the energy and technology sectors more closely, investing in data centers that run on sustainable energy to create domestic and global outcomes.
The event concluded with an innovation showcase, which featured Solar Run, a solar-powered handheld household device producer, and the Global Energy Innovation Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), a coalition dedicated to promoting sustainable development and clean energy growth through cross-border energy interconnection. Aligning with the theme of this event, both of these organizations have introduced impactful energy projects in several countries in Africa.
Learn more about industrialization in Africa by taking our free online course, “Industrial Policy in the 21st Century: The Challenge for Africa.”
Learn more about the solar potential in Africa by reading the CEET Issue Brief, “Beyond Basic Electricity Access: The Unrealized Promise of Solar Power for Economic Growth in Africa.”
Helen Perham serves as Communications Coordinator for the SDG Academy, where she regularly presents on the work of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the SDG Academy at various forums, including a featured exhibition space at the 2024 Civil Society Conference in Nairobi. Her professional interests center on sustainable development, global citizenship education, and the application of technology and innovation for social impact.
