AFRICA is rising.
From Sandton to the Sahel, a wave of innovation, ambition and resolve is reshaping the continent’s future.
On 21 November, Johannesburg will host Global Citizen NOW:Johannesburg as leaders, investors and youth visionaries gather to power a clean, inclusive future.
Hosted by actress, humanitarian and Global Citizen Ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha, the event marks the first Global Citizen NOW summit on African soil.
Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg is more than a summit; it is a signal to the world that Africa’s clean-energy transition has begun.
What happens here will shape global markets, climate action and inclusive growth for decades to come, because Africa’s clean-energy transition is not just local progress, it is a global turning point.
The continent’s vast renewable potential holds the power to redefine investment flows, stabilise the climate and bring power to millions still living without it. A reminder that the future begins where ambition becomes action.
“Africa’s moment is now,” said Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa.
“Our continent holds the key to a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world. Through decisive action and global solidarity, we can accelerate Africa’s clean energy future through a just transition.”
President Ramaphosa’s words affirm Africa’s pivotal role in shaping the world’s sustainable future, positioning the continent not merely as a beneficiary of change, but as its driving force.
A Global Imperative
Six hundred million people in Africa still live without electricity.
That’s 600 million lives in the dark. Children doing homework by candlelight, if at all. Clinics without power to store vaccines. Mothers giving birth without light.
It’s the quiet disconnection of entire communities from opportunity, from education, from safety. This is more than a development gap, it’s a moral crisis.
And it’s global.
Energy access lights the path to opportunity. It fuels education and small businesses, safeguards health systems and steadies fragile economies. It underpins nearly every Sustainable Development Goal set out by the United Nations, breathing life into the promise of a greener, more equitable world.
As global partners race to build climate resilience, Africa’s vast potential for solar, wind and hydro power offers not only local solutions but global pathways to decarbonisation.
Experts warn that Africa must quadruple its renewables capacity by 2030, not just for its own future, but to help avert wider climate collapse. The world cannot hope to meet its goals while leaving a continent behind.
Scaling Up Renewables: A Continental Campaign
At the heart of the summit is the Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign, hosted by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and President Cyril Ramaphosa, in partnership with Global Citizen and with support from the International Energy Agency.
Designed as a bold collaboration to mobilise public and private finance to unlock solar, hydro and wind power across the continent, the campaign calls for urgent, scalable investment to quadruple Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030, and to address the unmet energy needs of 600 million people who continue to live without electricity.
It seeks to build a resilient energy mix, one capable of powering homes and businesses while withstanding the shocks of a changing climate.
The initiative represents an unprecedented coalition between African leadership, global institutions and private capital.
“Africa holds immense potential for renewable energy and the world is taking notice,” said Ursula von der Leyen. “This campaign was launched to unite global efforts and mobilise both public and private investment, expanding access to energy and driving lasting growth.”
“This is about more than powering homes,” said summit host Nomzamo Mbatha.
“It’s about empowering communities, driving inclusive growth and ensuring a greener future for generations to come.”
Investors are responding. “We view renewable energy as both a strategic and economic imperative,” said Sipho Makhubela, CEO of Harith General Partners.
“It drives jobs, innovation and transformative opportunities across our continent.”
Momentum is already building. The campaign has secured pledges to provide clean energy to 4.6 million households, with a goal of 10 million in reach.
It also supports Mission 300, a World Bank and African Development Bank initiative to deliver electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. Together, they aim to bring light, power and opportunity to those long left in the dark.
Youth Innovation: The Reverse Power Panel
On 17 November, the Reverse Power Panel will run alongside the summit, spotlighting the voice of young Africans shaping their energy future.
In a bold role reversal, youth fellows from the Scaling Up Renewables in Africa programme will present their ideas to government leaders, transforming vision into commitments.
In this dynamic session, ideas won’t just be heard, they will be acted upon.
Policy-makers will be asked to respond publicly, closing the loop between grassroots innovation and government implementation.
The Reverse Power Panel seeks to channel the imagination and determination of Africa’s young visionaries, turning bold ideas into concrete commitments that advance the continent’s clean-energy journey.
Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg takes place on 21 November 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
It is presented by Harith General Partners, with support from Octopus Energy, Pele Energy Group, TransEnergy Global, Genesis Energy and PayPal.
This summit continues Global Citizen’s global expansion, following events in New York, Rio de Janeiro and Melbourne.
“As world leaders gather in South Africa for the G20, Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg will be a defining moment,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “We’re calling for urgent investment in energy access. Africa has the talent, ideas and resources to lead. The world must match that ambition with action.”
Notable Participants
H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa – President of South Africa
Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission
H.E. Hakainde Hichilema – President of Zambia
Rt. Hon. Jonas Gahr Støre – Prime Minister of Norway
Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka – Former Deputy President of South Africa
Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Singer and Humanitarian
Sabrina Dhowre Elba – Global Citizen Europe Board Chair
Nandi Madida – Artist and Philanthropist
Pearl Thusi – Actress and Entrepreneur
Mzansi Youth Choir – South African youth ensemble
Sipho Makhubela – CEO, Harith General Partners
Zoisa North-Bond – CEO, Octopus Energy Generation
Image (Nomzamo Mbatha – Actress and Humanitarian is the Summit Host).
