Ramaphosa appeals to developed world to help Africa scale up renewable energy
Ramaphosa has launched the Road to Joburg campaign at the G20 summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro as he prepares to take over the presidency from Brazil in December.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing the Global Citizen Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for assistance from the developed world to help African nations meet their environmental pledge of expanding renewable energy.
Ramaphosa has launched the Road to Joburg campaign at the G20 summit currently under way in Rio de Janeiro as he prepares to take over the presidency from Brazil in December.
Addressing the Global Citizen launch for renewables, Ramaphosa said too many South Africans still don't have access to electricity.
It was a busy 72nd birthday for Ramaphosa as he held several bilateral talks on Sunday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, including with the European Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen.
Ramaphosa said South Africa has felt the brunt of unstable electricity supply and it’s moving swiftly to introduce more renewable energy.
READ: Ramaphosa to participate in launch of renewables campaign at G20 Leaders’ Summit
But he said it’s not easy for Africa to harness natural weather to introduce renewable energy.
"This does not come as cheap as one would think. It requires finance, it requires clear decisions by leaders, not only on the African continent but by leaders globally," Ramaphosa said.
He said Africa will need help to follow through on commitments made at COP28 to triple renewable energy output by 2030.
"Those commitments lead to opportunities and with those opportunities we are then able to get finance, we are able to get technologies, we are enabled to ensure that our economies grow and enterprises are spread around the African continent," Ramaphosa said.
G20 nations will meet face-to-face at the leaders’ summit on Monday.