United Nations Economic Commission for Africa - Ideas for a prosperous Africa

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  Africa’s 2026 Sustainable Development Report sets priorities to fast-track progress to 2030

  by minilik.demissie on July 17, 2026

  15 July, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintNew York, 15 July 2026 (Joint ECA, AUC, AfDB, UNDP Press Release) - African leaders, development partners, and experts gathered at the Africa House in New York, on the margins of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum, to present the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR 2026), a key milestone that continues to shape policy dialogue and action across the continent. The 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR 2026) is setting the direction for accelerated action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as countries and partners intensify efforts in the lead-up to 2030. Produced jointly by the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the ASDR remains the only publication systematically tracking Africa’s progress on both the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The 2026 edition focuses on five priority SDGs under review (SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17), highlighting their central role in driving structural transformation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. It identifies both progress made and persistent gaps, offering practical policy options to accelerate implementation across sectors. Findings from the Report show that while Africa has achieved measurable gains, progress remains uneven and below the pace required to meet 2030 targets. Financing constraints, climate shocks, rising debt vulnerabilities, and institutional capacity gaps continue to slow delivery, pointing to the need for scaled-up investment, stronger systems, and more coordinated action. Aptly put by the Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, “What stands between the plans and the people is fragmented implementation, limited financing and constrained institutional capacity… Africa's accelerators are African. The report names regional cooperation as a powerful accelerator, and it is right.”  African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson, Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi reaffirmed that “Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda are not parallel journeys; they are one shared roadmap towards a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Africa. Our responsibility now is to deliver." "The true measure of Africa's progress is not the strategies we adopt, but the lives we transform. The Africa Sustainable Development Report reminds us that the time for planning has passed; this is the decade for accelerated delivery,” she added. In this light, Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the ECA, stressed that “With less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Africa is at a decisive moment. The ASDR 2026 demonstrates that progress is possible, but only through transformative and coordinated action. By strengthening institutions, mobilizing finance and leveraging innovation, Africa can turn today’s challenges into opportunities for a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous future.” “Time is not on our side, but opportunity is. The African Sustainable Development Report makes one thing clear: accelerating the SDGs requires investing in Africa's people, innovation and natural wealth. The choices we make today will define the prosperity of generations to come,” reiterated Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant-Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa. “ The Report is already informing policy discussions and partnerships emerging from ARFSD 12, including priorities around expanding clean energy access, strengthening infrastructure and sustainable cities, deepening regional integration, and enhancing data and implementation capacity. Botho Bayendi, Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery at the AUC, “While progress is evident in areas such as infrastructure, regional integration, and digital transformation, we recognize that the pace must accelerate. With less than five years to 2030, this is a defining moment for bold, coordinated, and transformative action.”  Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager, Climate Change and Green Growth Division at the African Development Bank, noted, “The report highlights that the foundations of Africa’s transformation-water, energy, infrastructure, sustainable cities, and partnerships-must be strengthened urgently. The message is clear: accelerating progress to 2030 requires moving beyond incremental change towards scaled-up investment, innovation, and strong regional cooperation, with climate resilience and inclusivity at the core.” Released at a critical moment of heightened global uncertainty, the ASDR 2026 underscores the importance of renewed global partnerships, a more responsive international financial architecture, and stronger alignment between global commitments and national realities. More than a stocktake, the Report serves as a practical tool for policymakers, development partners, researchers, and civil society, supporting more targeted, evidence-driven decisions to accelerate progress.  As the follow-up to its release continues, the ASDR 2026 is helping to anchor a shared focus: translating commitments into tangible results and ensuring that Africa’s development pathway remains inclusive, resilient, climate-smart, and firmly grounded in its priorities. Issued by: Communications Section Economic Commission for Africa PO Box 3001 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Tel: +251 11 551 5826 E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  [Blog] Investing in Africa’s Health: Unlocking Fiscal Space for Economic Transformation

  by minilik.demissie on July 17, 2026

  17 July, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintBy Nadia Ouedraogo, Aboubakri Diaw, Stephen Karingi *     From Input-Driven Growth to Productivity-Led Transformation: The Central Role of Health Financing in Africa Over the past three decades, Africa’s economic expansion has been predominantly input-driven, propelled by labor force growth and the intensive use of natural resources rather than sustained efficiency gains and technological upgrading. While this model has delivered episodic growth—often during commodity booms—it has not generated the productivity improvements required for deep structural transformation. As a result, many African economies remain structurally vulnerable, with growth highly exposed to commodity price volatility, climate shocks, and tightening global financial conditions. Weak productivity dynamics have thus become a central constraint on Africa’s long-term development trajectory. This constraint is becoming increasingly binding. Rapid population growth and accelerating urbanization are expanding the labor supply faster than productive employment opportunities, while fiscal space is narrowing under rising debt burdens and growing climate-related spending needs. In this context, growth strategies based on factor accumulation are reaching their limits. Sustaining growth, creating decent jobs, and raising living standards will require a decisive shift toward productivity-driven growth. For African economies, closing the productivity gap is therefore macro-critical. At the core of this transition lies human capital. Productivity gains depend fundamentally on the ability of workers and firms to learn, adapt, and operate more efficiently. A workforce that is skilled, educated, and healthy supports improvements in production processes, enhances firm-level efficiency, and facilitates structural transformation. Without this foundation, increases in labor and capital yield diminishing returns. Technology and innovation can accelerate these dynamics, but their impact depends on the quality of the underlying human capital base. Where skills, health, and institutional capacity are weak, technological adoption remains limited and generates limited spillovers. Conversely, stronger human capital enables effective absorption, adaptation, and diffusion of new technologies across sectors. Health is therefore a foundational pillar of human capital. It shapes labor productivity, learning outcomes, and economic participation. Yet across Africa, health systems remain underfunded, fragmented, and heavily reliant on households and external financing. These constraints weaken human capital accumulation, limit productivity growth, and ultimately undermine the prospects for structural transformation. From Health Financing to Structural Transformation At the core of this transition lies human capital. Productivity gains depend fundamentally on the ability of workers and firms to learn, adapt, and operate more efficiently. A workforce that is skilled, educated, and healthy supports improvements in production processes, enhances firm-level efficiency, and facilitates structural transformation. Without this foundation, increases in labor and capital yield diminishing returns. Technology and innovation can accelerate these dynamics, but their impact depends on the quality of the underlying human capital base. Where skills, health, and institutional capacity are weak, technological adoption remains limited and generates few spillovers. Conversely, stronger human capital enables effective absorption, adaptation, and diffusion of new technologies across sectors. Health is a central component of this process. It directly shapes labor productivity, learning outcomes, and the capacity of individuals to participate in economic activity. Weak health outcomes reduce the returns to education and constrain the ability of economies to adopt and effectively use new technologies, while reinforcing inequalities in access to opportunities. These outcomes, however, do not arise in isolation. They reflect the performance and accessibility of health systems, which determine the extent to which populations are able to sustain and improve their health over time. Where health systems are under-resourced, fragmented, or inaccessible, health outcomes deteriorate, limiting the accumulation of human capital and weakening the foundations for productivity growth. Conversely, stronger and more inclusive health systems support better health outcomes, enhance workforce productivity, and improve resilience to economic and climate-related shocks. In this context, the way health systems are financed becomes critical, as it shapes their capacity, equity, and sustainability. If productivity is the missing link between growth and structural transformation, and human capital its foundation, then health financing becomes a central pillar of economic strategy. Figure 1 illustrates the transmission mechanism through which increased and more efficient health financing drives structural transformation. By strengthening health outcomes, it builds human capital, raises labor productivity, and supports the reallocation of resources toward more productive sectors. Figure 1. From Health Financing to Structural Transformation: A Causal Pathway Source: Authors, 2026.   A Structural Bottleneck to Productivity: Low and Unequal Health Investment Health financing in Africa remains constrained both in scale and structure. Total health expenditure reached approximately US$143bn in 2023, representing only about 5.5% of GDP. This indicates that the health sector remains relatively small relative to the size of African economies and has not kept pace with rising demographic pressures and development needs. Fig 2: Current health expenditure (CHE) as % Gross domestic product (GDP), 2023 Source: Authors’ calculations based on WHO (2026).   The challenge is not only the overall level of spending, but also its composition. Governments account for only 33%of total health expenditure, while the remainder is financed by households (40%), external partners (20%) and private contribution (7%). This limited public contribution reflects weak risk pooling and results in a heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments, undermining financial protection. Fig 3: Composition of Health Financing in Africa (Government vs Private vs External, 2023) Source: Authors’ calculations based on WHO (2026).   These constraints are reflected in low and highly unequal spending levels across countries. Per capita government health expenditure ranges from less than US$3 to over US$500, and the gap between the highest- and lowest-spending countries widened from US$416 in 2015 to more than US$535 in 2023. Fig 4: Per Capita Health Spending Distribution Across African Countries in 2023 Source: Authors’ calculations based on WHO (2026).   Importantly, a large share of countries remains below internationally referenced minimum spending levels required to deliver basic health services (often estimated in the range of US$100–150 per capita for essential service packages in low-income settings). This indicates that, beyond inequality, overall spending levels are insufficient to ensure adequate service coverage. Overall, the limited scale of total health spending and the weak public financing base point to a structurally underfunded system, constraining the ability of countries to build resilient health systems and support productivity-enhancing human capital. The Burden on Households: Financial Protection and Productivity Risks In the absence of sufficient public financing, the burden of health spending shifts to households. Across Africa, around three-quarters of countries exceed the 20% threshold for out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure—commonly used as a benchmark for financial protection—exposing households to a high risk of catastrophic health spending. On average, OOP payments account for about 36.7% of total health expenditure over the past decade. Fig. 5: Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure (% of CHE), 2023 Source: Authors’ calculations based on WHO (2026).   The consequences are substantial. High out-of-pocket (OOP) costs lead households to delay or forgo care, deplete savings, and divert resources away from education and productive activities. These dynamics undermine labor productivity and perpetuate poverty cycles. While some progress has been recorded, it remains limited. The share of countries meeting financial protection benchmarks increased from 13.7% in 2000 to just 24.1% in 2023. At the same time, more than one-third of households continue to face financial hardship due to health-related expenditures. Fig. 6: Financial Protection Trends in Africa (2000–2023)   Source: Authors’ calculations based on WHO (2026).   Fragmentation and Limited Risk Pooling: Limits to Systemic Transformation Health financing systems in Africa remain structurally fragmented, limiting the effectiveness of spending. Public and prepaid mechanisms remain underdeveloped, while voluntary insurance contributes only about 4–5% of total health expenditure, indicating limited risk pooling. At the same time, dependence on external financing has increased—from 10.7% in 2000 to about 23.4% in 2023, raising concerns about sustainability and policy autonomy. Fig. 7: Health Financing Structure by Source (% of CHE)  Source: WHO (2025).   These patterns reinforce systemic inefficiencies, reduce the predictability of financing, and constrain the ability of health systems to allocate resources effectively. These financing constraints have direct implications for progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which rests on two core pillars: service coverage and financial protection. The evidence points to significant challenges on both fronts. High reliance on out-of-pocket payments and persistent financial hardship indicate weak financial protection. At the same time, low per capita spending and limited pooling mechanisms constrain the expansion of essential health services. As a result, progress toward UHC remains structurally constrained by the underlying financing architecture. Fiscal Space as a Lever for Expanding Health Financing The constraints observed in health financing systems ultimately reflect broader limitations in fiscal capacity. Expanding public investment in health therefore depends on governments’ ability to identify, mobilize, and allocate additional fiscal resources within existing macro-fiscal frameworks. Assessing fiscal space is central to this process. It enables policymakers to identify potential sources of financing—through domestic revenue mobilization, expenditure reprioritization, and efficiency gains—and to determine how these can be sustainably directed toward health. As illustrated in Figure 7, the scope for expanding fiscal space varies significantly across countries, reflecting differences in economic structure, revenue capacity, debt dynamics, and budgetary priorities. In some contexts, opportunities lie in strengthening tax systems and broadening the revenue base. In others, the priority is reallocating expenditure toward high-impact sectors such as health or improving the efficiency of existing spending. Strengthening domestic resource mobilization remains particularly critical. Heavy reliance on external financing and out-of-pocket payments has proven both insufficient and unsustainable. A more robust fiscal foundation, anchored in predictable domestic revenues, is essential to support resilient health systems. However, expanding fiscal space is not only about increasing resources. It also requires identifying the appropriate instruments and mechanisms through which this space can be created, stabilized, and sustained over time. Fig 8: Potential Fiscal Space for Health Across African Countries. Source: Author’s calculations based on WHO Global Health Expenditure Database and national fiscal data, 2025.   From Fiscal Space to Financing Architecture While expanding fiscal space is necessary, it is not sufficient. The critical next step is to translate this space into a coherent financing architecture that can mobilize diverse instruments and align them with country-specific realities, taking into account fiscal constraints, institutional capacity, and the level of financial market development. In practice, this requires tailoring financing approaches to country contexts. Differences in economic structure, fiscal capacity, and institutional readiness imply distinct pathways for mobilizing and structuring resources. The following examples illustrate how countries can combine instruments—such as domestic revenue mobilization, expenditure reprioritization, and innovative financing mechanisms—to expand and sustain health investment in line with their specific constraints and opportunities. Debt Instruments — Creating Predictable Fiscal Space Debt instruments are a standard component of macroeconomic management, used to manage liabilities and smooth fiscal adjustment. Their relevance for health lies in their capacity to generate predictable fiscal space when appropriately structured. In Ethiopia, currently undergoing restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, this creates a concrete opportunity. A portion of the debt service relief could be explicitly linked to multi-year health allocations within the national budget. Even modest reallocations can generate substantial and predictable financing flows over time, aligned with medium-term fiscal frameworks. Levies — Anchoring Domestic Financing Excise taxes and solidarity levies are well-established tools of domestic resource mobilization. Their strength lies not in scale, but in stability and predictability. In Togo, for example, modest excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, or sugar-sweetened beverages could generate revenues in the order of 0.2 to 0.5 percent of GDP annually. More importantly, such instruments establish a reliable domestic financing base, reduce dependence on out-of-pocket spending, and support more structured health financing systems. Blended Finance — Addressing Risk Constraints Blended finance responds to a central constraint in many African economies: not the absence of capital, but its cost and associated risk perceptions. By combining concessional resources, guarantees, and public financing, blended finance enables more efficient risk allocation and can unlock investments that would otherwise not materialize. In Sierra Leone, where fiscal space is constrained and debt vulnerabilities are high, such instruments can catalyze initial investments in health infrastructure and service delivery, helping to establish a track record for scaling. Institutional Investors — Mobilizing Domestic Capital Institutional investors, including pension funds and insurance companies, represent a largely untapped source of long-term financing. However, their participation requires predictable returns, strong governance frameworks, and appropriate investment vehicles. In Botswana, where financial markets are relatively developed, there is clear potential to channel a portion of domestic institutional capital toward health-related investments, including infrastructure, digital systems, and insurance mechanisms. Even small allocations can have significant catalytic effects. Diaspora and ESG Instruments — Expanding the Financing Frontier Beyond domestic sources, diaspora financing and ESG-linked instruments offer additional avenues for diversifying the financing base. In countries such as Cabo Verde and Comoros, where remittances account for a substantial share of GDP, diaspora bonds could transform fragmented flows into structured investments—for example, financing hospital infrastructure or health insurance systems with clear returns and accountability mechanisms. Similarly, ESG-linked instruments provide an opportunity to integrate health outcomes into capital market financing. Bonds linked to measurable improvements in service coverage or financial protection can reposition health as a performance-based investment, rather than purely as expenditure. While such instruments are not universally applicable, they can play a catalytic role where enabling conditions exist. Repositioning Health at the Core of Africa’s Transformation Agenda Africa stands at a critical juncture. The continent has a unique opportunity to leverage frontier technologies to accelerate productivity growth and structural transformation. However, this opportunity will remain constrained unless foundational investments in human capital—particularly health—are addressed. Current health financing systems are insufficient, unequal, and unsustainable. Without decisive action to expand fiscal space, improve spending efficiency, and deploy appropriate financing instruments, the productivity gains required for transformation will remain out of reach. Repositioning health within macroeconomic policy frameworks is therefore essential. This requires moving beyond a narrow sectoral perspective and recognizing health as a core driver of productivity, resilience, and long-term growth. Only through such a shift can Africa close the loop—from growth without productivity to productivity-led structural transformation.   * Aboubakri Diaw is the Chief of Staff of the Economic Commission for Africa Stephen Karingi is the Director of the Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division at the Economic Commission for Africa Nadia Ouedraogo is an Economist with the Macroeconomics, Finance & Governance Division at the Economic Commission for Africa

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  Togo: ECA and UNFPA provide high-level technical support to strengthen the integration of demographic dividend-sensitive expenditures into the 2027 National Budget

  by eskinder.tsegaye on July 17, 2026

  15 July, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintLomé (Togo), 15 July 2026 – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Subregional Office for West Africa, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is providing technical assistance to the Togolese government from 15 to 16 July 2026 to strengthen expenditure that is more sensitive to the demographic dividend (BSDD) in the national budget for the 2027 fiscal year. This technical support, organized at the request and under the leadership of the Ministry of Economy and Finance through the Directorate General of Budget and Finance, brings together around one hundred experts from sectoral ministries and public institutions involved in the preparation and execution of the State budget. With a predominantly young population, Togo continues to make progress toward economic and social transformation by leveraging its demographic dividend as a key driver of sustainable development. The BSDD approach will help direct greater public investment toward strategic sectors such as education, health, youth employment, social protection, and women’s empowerment. According to Ngone Diop, Director of the ECA Subregional Office for West Africa: “These efforts will help consolidate the achievements already made while also strengthening the ownership of this approach by all the institutions concerned.” She added: “Institutionalizing the BSDD approach will enable Togo to maximize the impact of public resources on the living conditions of the population, particularly young people and women, in line with the fundamental principle of leaving no one behind.” This technical assistance is part of the ongoing efforts by ECA and UNFPA to support Togo in operationalizing the BSDD approach. The progress achieved has already enabled the integration of this approach into national budget documents, including the Multiannual Expenditure Programming Document (DPPD) and the annexes to the draft finance law. Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  Statement by Mr. Claver Gatete at the advancing energy and digital connectivity for economic growth and sustainable development in Africa

  by eskinder.tsegaye on July 16, 2026

  15 July, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprint2026 HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM (HLPF)   Advancing Energy and Digital Connectivity for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa   Statement By Mr. Claver Gatete United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA   New York 15 July 2026   Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen:   Let me begin by thanking the Governments of Angola, Morocco and Italy, together with the OECD and all partners, for convening this important discussion on a subject that sits at the heart of Africa’s development future: energy and digital connectivity. Indeed, far from being merely about infrastructure, they are foundational enablers of economic transformation, industrialization and sustainable development. This is especially crucial because we are meeting at a time of profound global uncertainty. Around the world, economies are navigating geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain reconfiguration, climate shocks, technological disruption and rising financing constraints. Yet in the midst of these challenges, one reality is becoming increasingly clear: in the twenty-first century, connectivity is development. The countries that will thrive are those that can connect people to power, businesses to markets, ideas to innovation and communities to opportunity. However, how can a country industrialize without reliable electricity? Can it compete in the digital economy if millions remain disconnected from the internet? The answer, of course, is no. We learn from history that every major wave of economic transformation has been built on infrastructure. Yesterday it was roads, railways and power plants. Today it is those same foundations reinforced by digital networks, data systems and smart technologies. Africa understands this well. The continent is home to more than 1.5 billion people today, and by 2050 one in every four people on earth will be African. This is an economic reality that will impact global growth, markets, labour forces and innovation for decades to come. Yet the connectivity gaps remain significant. Over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, representing almost half of the population of sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, only about 38% of Africans were using the internet in 2024, far below the global average of 68%. These are development deficits because they represent missed opportunities for entrepreneurs, factories operating below capacity, farmers unable to access digital markets and young people unable to fully participate in the knowledge economy. And yet, despite these challenges, our story is not solely about deficits. It is also about opportunity. Africa possesses some of the world’s greatest renewable energy resources. The continent also holds many of the critical minerals that will power the global energy transition. It is home to one of the youngest populations in the world and a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. The question is therefore not whether Africa has assets. We know we do. The question is whether Africa can connect those assets to value creation. Can we move from exporting raw materials to exporting batteries, electric vehicles and clean technologies? Can we transform mineral wealth into manufacturing capacity? And can we convert renewable potential into industrial competitiveness? These are the questions before us. The good news is that promising solutions are already emerging. For example, the Lobito Corridor represents much more than a transport project. With over US$10 billion in commitments, it is becoming a platform for regional integration, trade, industrial development and strategic connectivity. Similarly, the Morocco–Zambia–Democratic Republic of the Congo electric mobility initiative illustrates how African countries can work together under the AfCFTA to build regional value chains in batteries, electric mobility and associated industries. This is precisely the type of value addition and industrial cooperation Africa needs. What both examples illustrate is a broader lesson. Infrastructure should not be viewed merely as concrete and steel. It must be viewed as an ecosystem. A corridor is not just a railway. It is energy, logistics, digital systems, trade facilitation, industrial parks, skills development and jobs. Connectivity is not simply about access. It is about transformation.   Excellencies, As we prepare for the Fourth Decade of Africa’s Industrialization, today’s discussion is therefore timely and strategic. As such, the choices we make today will determine whether connectivity becomes Africa’s greatest development accelerator. Allow me to propose five priorities.   First, we must invest in integrated connectivity solutions that combine energy, transport and digital infrastructure rather than treating them as separate sectors.   Second, we must accelerate regional value chains through the AfCFTA so that connectivity translates into industrialization, value addition and productive jobs.   Third, we must close Africa’s infrastructure financing gap through innovative financing, stronger public-private partnerships and greater support from development finance institutions.   Fourth, we must build digital capabilities and skills alongside physical infrastructure. Connectivity without human capital will not deliver transformation.   Fifth, we must strengthen partnerships based on mutual benefit and shared prosperity. The challenges are too large for any country or institution alone, but together they are entirely within reach.   As I conclude, I invite us to pause for reflection. If the twenty-first century will be defined by clean energy, digital innovation and resilient supply chains, should Africa remain merely a participant, or should it become a leader? Our answer must be clear. Africa must take charge and lead because we can. We must be a leader in green industrialization, in digital innovation and in building the connected economies of the future. The opportunity is before us. The resources exist and the partnerships are growing. What is now required is scale, speed and collective action. And as always, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa remains committed to work with all partners to turn these opportunities into measurable results. I thank you.

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  Statement by Mr. Claver Gatete at the launch of the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report

  by eskinder.tsegaye on July 16, 2026

  14 July, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprint2026 HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM (HLPF)   AFRICA DAY   Launch of the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report   Statement By Mr. Claver Gatete United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA   New York 14 July 2026   Excellencies, Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Minister of International Development, Norway, Prof Imraan Valodia, member of the Founding Committee for International Panel on Inequality, Ministers, Ambassadors, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen:   Permit me to stand on established protocol. It is a privilege to join you today for Africa Day at the High-Level Political Forum and for the launch of the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report – a report that comes at a defining moment for Africa and the world. The global context in which we meet is both sobering and demanding. Less than five years remain to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, yet the world is confronting a convergence of crises: geopolitical tensions, rising debt burdens, climate shocks, slowing growth, declining development assistance and widening financing gaps. The global SDG financing gap has now reached approximately US$4 trillion annually for developing countries. The instability in the Middle East has further intensified uncertainty, disrupting trade routes, increasing energy and food price volatility, and placing additional pressure on developing economies, including those in Africa. Recent UN assessments warn that these disruptions are amplifying inflationary pressures and raising borrowing costs precisely when many countries can least afford them. And yet, despite these formidable headwinds, Africa is not retreating; it is adapting, innovating and moving forward. A few months ago, leaders gathered in Addis Ababa under the theme: “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.” The message was unequivocal: Africa is determined not merely to manage crises but to drive transformation. The 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report confirms that Africa has made significant strides. We see that progress echoed in the 19 African countries presenting Voluntary National Reviews at this High-level Political Forum. Their experiences inform us that, even in the midst of multiple global shocks, Africa continues to advance. They also reinforce a clear message: the time for delivery is now. And indeed, across the continent, tangible gains are visible in infrastructure development, digital innovation, renewable energy expansion, regional integration and access to services. But the report also delivers a candid message: progress is not fast enough. Financing constraints, infrastructure deficits, climate impacts, conflicts and debt-service pressures continue to slow implementation. The gap we must now close is not an ambition gap, but an execution gap. Because what good are commitments if they do not change lives? What value is a target if it does not create jobs for a young woman in Lagos, connect a farmer in Malawi to markets, or provide clean water to a family in the Sahel? The imperative therefore is to transform our plans into policies and action, leading to tangible results for our people. Fortunately, Africa enters this next phase with one extraordinary advantage. Today, Africa is home to more than 1.5 billion people. By 2050, our population is expected to reach 2.5 billion, and more than one-quarter of humanity will be African. By 2035, more young Africans will enter the labour market every year than in the rest of the world combined. This is one of the greatest opportunities of the twenty-first century. But demographics alone will not create the prosperity Africa seeks. The question is: will we transform this demographic growth into an economic dividend? Or will we allow opportunity to become vulnerability? The answer depends on the choices we make and the actions we take today.   First, we must strengthen implementation capacity. Strong institutions, reliable data systems and accountable governance remain essential to delivering results at scale.   Second, we must mobilize the resources needed to close the financing gap. The Sevilla Commitment provides renewed momentum for debt sustainability, domestic resource mobilization, and reform of the international financial architecture. Africa must continue to advocate for a system that lowers the cost of capital and recognizes our development realities.   Third, we must accelerate regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area. A fragmented Africa cannot industrialize at the pace required; a connected Africa can become a global growth pole.   Fourth, we must harness technology and innovation. Artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, frontier technologies, and modern data systems can accelerate progress across multiple SDGs simultaneously. Africa has the potential not merely to adopt technology but to shape its future applications.   Fifth, we must place climate resilience at the centre of development planning. This is why Africa welcomes Ethiopia’s selection to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027. The COP represents a generational opportunity for Africa to elevate its priorities on climate finance, adaptation, green industrialization and sustainable growth. As such, the road to Addis Ababa must be the road toward implementation.   Ladies and Gentlemen, The central message of the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report is ultimately one of possibility. Africa possesses the world’s youngest population. It has the world’s largest free trade area. It holds enormous renewable energy potential. And it has demonstrated resilience in the face of repeated shocks. So, we know Africa can achieve transformation. What remains is whether we can move with the speed, scale and coordination required. Meeting that challenge will require capable institutions and committed partners. That is precisely where the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa will continue to stand with our member States. We remain committed to supporting member States by advancing domestic resource mobilization, implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area, promoting sustainable industrialization, strengthening data systems and improving evidence-based policymaking. Together, we can work to ensure that this report becomes a blueprint for delivery – one that accelerates implementation, unlocks financing, forges stronger partnerships and ensures that Africa contributes not only to achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2063, but to shaping the future architecture of global development itself. I thank you.

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  Statement by Mr. Claver Gatete at the 2026 High Level Political Forum

  by eskinder.tsegaye on July 16, 2026

  10 July, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprint2026 HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM   Accelerating Energy System Innovation and Transition for Equity and Resilience to Advance Global Sustainable Development   Statement By Mr. Claver Gatete United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA   New York 10 July 2026   Excellencies, Distinguished colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen:   It is a pleasure to join you today. I wish to start by commending GEIDCO and all partners for convening this timely dialogue on the margins of the High-level Political Forum. Indeed, few issues better capture the intersection of sustainable development, resilience and economic transformation than energy. Today, the world is navigating slower growth, geopolitical tensions, climate change and tightening fiscal space. Together, these forces are impacting investment decisions, disrupting production systems and testing the resilience of economies everywhere. More recently, the conflict in the Middle East has further underscored how quickly external shocks can ripple through energy markets, supply chains and financing conditions, affecting countries far beyond the region. This reinforces the simple fact that energy security is inseparable from economic security. And the figures confront us with an undeniable challenge. The world is off track to achieving SDG 7. Around 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity, while 400 million lack clean water. These statistics lead us to a more fundamental question. How can we industrialize without reliable energy? How can we create productive employment for Africa’s rapidly growing workforce if businesses, factories and digital industries cannot access affordable and dependable electricity? For Africa, therefore, the energy transition is not simply an environmental agenda; it is fundamentally a development agenda. It is about powering industries, creating jobs, improving food systems, strengthening resilience and accelerating structural transformation. Fortunately, Africa also possesses many of the ingredients for success. The continent holds around 60% of the world’s best solar resources, significant hydro, wind and geothermal potential and more than 30% of global reserves of critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition. Combined with the African Continental Market of 1.5 billion people, with the highest youthful population, these assets provide a unique opportunity to build regional value chains, expand manufacturing and create productive employment. But we also know that opportunity by itself is not enough to deliver transformation. Unlocking Africa’s renewable potential will require major investment in generation, transmission infrastructure and regional power interconnections. The same is true for Africa’s vast critical mineral endowment. Exporting raw minerals will not create the jobs, industries or prosperity the continent seeks. Value addition requires energy. Reliable and affordable electricity is what will transform cobalt, lithium, graphite and other critical minerals into batteries, electric vehicle components and other higher-value manufactured products. Additionally, Artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services are driving unprecedented global demand for data centres – facilities that require vast amounts of reliable, affordable and increasingly clean electricity. If Africa is to participate competitively in the digital economy, then it must build the energy systems capable of powering this new generation of industries. The countries that can provide abundant, reliable and sustainable energy will be best positioned to capture investment in both advanced manufacturing and the digital economy. Innovation, therefore, must extend beyond technology itself to encompass policy, financing, institutions and regional cooperation. And there is every reason for optimism. Across the continent, countries are already demonstrating that with the right policies, investments and partnerships, energy transformation is within reach. Kenya has become a global leader in geothermal energy. Morocco continues to scale renewable energy investments while positioning itself in green hydrogen. Ethiopia’s hydropower investments are already supporting regional electricity trade and strengthening energy integration across Eastern Africa. Across the continent, regional power pools are boosting energy security through greater cross-border cooperation. These examples demonstrate that resilience is built through partnership, long-term investment and regional integration, and they provide a practical roadmap for the future. The task now is to move from isolated achievements to systemic transformation across the continent, so that no country is left behind. In this regard, allow me to suggest four priorities for our collective consideration.   First, we must accelerate investment in resilient energy infrastructure, particularly transmission networks, regional interconnections, storage systems and smart grids, so that renewable energy reaches households and productive sectors alike.   Second, we must mobilize substantially greater investment through innovative financing, stronger domestic capital markets and de-risking instruments that unlock private capital for Africa’s energy transition.   Third, we must ensure that Africa’s energy transition also becomes an industrial transition. Our renewable resources and critical minerals should power competitive regional value chains, local manufacturing and value addition under the African Continental Free Trade Area.   Finally, we must invest in people as much as infrastructure. In this regard, we welcome the launch of the Global Energy Interconnection Academy, which can play an important role in strengthening the technical, regulatory and institutional capacities needed to design resilient, integrated and future-ready energy systems, particularly across developing countries.   Excellencies, ECA is ever ready to work with GEIDCO and all partners to advance regional power integration, enabling policy frameworks and sustainable energy systems that accelerate implementation of both AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I thank you.