Sahara Group advocates rapid progress for SDGs in Africa at UNGA79 

A leading global energy conglomerate, Sahara Group has said that more investments, global partnerships and strategic policies are required to fast-track Africa’s attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to benefit the continent that accounts for about 18.2 per cent of the world’s population.

This was made known in a statement by the company’s Corporate Communications Officer, Bethel Obioma on Thursday.

Speaking at the UN Global Compact CEO Roundtable in New York, The Executive Director of Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, said that galvanising Africa to Move Forward Faster on the SDGs should be a global pursuit given the huge need in critical areas, especially energy security with approximately 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity.

Adesina further said that global collaboration, investments, and focus on SDGs in Africa would facilitate a seamless and phased shift in energy consumption patterns through a transition to renewable energy sources to enhance productivity and economic stability.

He said, “By working together and investing in renewable energy, we can create a sustainable and prosperous future for Africa. This transition not only addresses energy security but also drives economic growth, creates jobs, and combats climate change,”

Additionally, Adesina noted that transforming Africa’s energy sector would play a key role in driving the continent’s march towards sustainable development.

He revealed that renewable energy adoption in Africa can be significantly advanced through a collaborative, phased approach, enabling policies that support responsible optimisation of existing energy sources, enabling policies that encourage investment from within the continent and institutional investors.

“To achieve successful energy transition in Africa, we need enabling policies that support innovation, investments and collaboration in renewable technologies. As global leaders, we can create these frameworks that promote sustainable practices, ensuring that bringing energy to life responsibly remains a reality,” he said.

The event also addressed critical issues surrounding unemployment, gender equality, climate action, living wages, water resilience, and finance and investment, with conversations unanimously endorsing the need to raise awareness, mobilize investment and innovation, facilitate collaboration, drive action, and promote accountability among stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals.