The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Selwin Hart, has issued a powerful call for climate justice and fair financing as Africa battles the escalating impact of climate change. Speaking on Africa’s vulnerabilities and opportunities, Hart revealed that climate-related shocks already wipe out 5% of the continent’s GDP annually and drain up to 9% of national budgets in rebuilding costs. By 2030, an additional 118 million Africans could be exposed to the climate crisis.
Yet, amid the crisis, Hart underscored a parallel story of opportunity—the chance for Africa to leapfrog fossil fuel dependency and power its economies with abundant clean energy resources. “The clean energy revolution is no longer tomorrow’s promise. It is today’s reality,” he said, noting that global investment in renewables has now surpassed fossil fuels, with over 90% of new renewable power proving cheaper than coal, oil, and gas alternatives.
However, Hart stressed that the transition remains too slow and deeply unfair. Since the Paris Agreement, four out of every five clean energy dollars have gone to advanced economies and China, leaving Africa—home to 60% of the world’s best solar resources and 30% of critical transition minerals—with just 2% of global clean energy investment. This, he argued, is the great climate injustice of our time, especially when 600 million Africans still lack electricity and over one billion remain without clean cooking access.
For Africa to unlock its clean energy future, Hart emphasized that the international financial system must evolve. He called for:
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Delivery of climate finance commitments by developed countries.
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Reforms in multilateral development banks to leverage affordable private investment.
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Debt relief and innovative financing models, such as debt-for-climate and nature swaps.
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A massive boost in adaptation finance, to shield vulnerable communities from existential risks.
“Africa has the resources, Africa has the markets, Africa has the people, and Africa has the solutions,” Hart declared. “What is missing is not potential, but fair finance and policy certainty.”
As the continent positions itself at the heart of global climate negotiations, his message was clear: Africa cannot carry the weight of the climate crisis alone. The world must match rhetoric with real action, ensuring the transition is not only fast, but fair.
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