It is a pleasure to join you here all today. But, I would also like to underscore that it is because of her incredible leadership and her vision, that we are all here today and gathered as an African continent. I would also thank the African Union for keeping the fire under our feet to do right thing for the continent.
These are incredible partnerships, that bring genuine experience, decades of work from the public sector to the private sector. That is why we are looking to them for the success of this union. But, we also look to the Rockefeller Foundation for a strong and meaningful partnership β one that brings key stakeholders together in this room. Today, Africa has one of the lowest levels of energy access, as we have heard, but it is also one of the most vulnerable to intensifying climate shocks.
Yet, our continent is rich in renewable energy resources and critical minerals. Which are all essential for the energy transition, and benefit from limited sunk costs in fossil fuel-intensive energy infrastructures. Africa is also home to a vibrant, young and enterprising population. This provides immense potential for Africa to show the rest of the world what a new economic development paradigm grounded in sustainability, resilience, justice and inclusivity can look like. Enhanced energy access, affordability and reliability is not only crucial for achieving our Sustainable Development Goal SDG 7, but also serves as a catalyst for broader development goals.
Access to clean and sustainable energy underpins progress in health, in education, in gender equality, while driving economic growth and climate action β many of the 17 Goals. By advancing long-term energy security and sovereignty, we can foster peace, we can create green jobs and build resilient livelihoods β paving the way for improved stability and prosperity across the continent.
Combined with systemic initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition. By powering essential sectors such as healthcare, education and commerce, bolstering industries like solar manufacturing, grid infrastructure and clean energy solutions, renewable energy can unlock unprecedented economic potential. The United Republic of Tanzania stands as a shining example of how rural electrification and off-grid renewable energy solutions can transform lives, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
