Africa Cannot Industrialize Without Reliable Power, ECA’s Gatete Warns
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Executive Secretary Claver Gatete has warned that Africa risks missing its industrialization ambitions unless it urgently expands access to reliable electricity, describing energy as the backbone of economic transformation and regional trade.
Speaking virtually during the Ministerial Compact Roundtable on Financing Africa’s Nuclear Energy Future, held in Kigali as part of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa 2026, Gatete said dependable and affordable power would determine whether African economies can compete globally and fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“No nation industrializes in the dark. Africa cannot realize the promise of the AfCFTA or build competitive regional value chains on intermittent power alone,” Gatete said.
He noted that Africa’s energy crisis is unfolding amid mounting global pressures, including climate shocks, rising borrowing costs, geopolitical tensions and tightening financial conditions, all of which are straining public finances and limiting countries’ ability to invest in critical infrastructure.
According to Gatete, the AfCFTA presents a major opportunity for Africa to boost intra-African trade, strengthen manufacturing capacity and build resilient regional value chains. However, he stressed that these ambitions cannot be achieved without large-scale investments in electricity generation and transmission.
Nearly 600 million Africans still live without access to electricity, including an estimated 400 million people in rural areas beyond the reach of existing power grids. Although electricity access on the continent has improved from around 25 percent a decade ago to approximately 51 percent today, Gatete said progress remains too slow.
“Africa needs to connect around 100 million people every year to stay within reach of SDG 7,” he said, referring to the global goal of ensuring universal access to affordable and clean energy.
He further warned that Africa’s electricity demand could quadruple by 2040 as countries expand manufacturing, mineral processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, digital infrastructure and modern agriculture.
Against this backdrop, Gatete said nuclear energy should be considered part of Africa’s broader clean energy strategy, alongside renewable energy sources.
“Modern economies need clean power, but they also need firm, reliable, always-on power. Nuclear energy can help deliver this, alongside renewable sources of energy,” he said.
He argued that nuclear power offers stable, low-carbon electricity capable of supporting grid reliability while complementing variable renewable sources such as solar and wind. He also pointed to growing global interest in nuclear energy, particularly in small modular reactors and new nuclear projects under development worldwide.
Gatete said Africa already possesses several strategic advantages, including uranium reserves, emerging nuclear institutions and growing political interest in nuclear development.
He highlighted that South Africa already operates a commercial nuclear power plant, while Egypt is constructing reactors at El Dabaa. He also noted that Morocco continues to strengthen its nuclear preparations, while Rwanda is building institutional coordination as it explores the possible deployment of small modular reactors in the future.
Despite these developments, Gatete said financing remains the continent’s biggest hurdle.
“Nuclear ambition will not become investable reality unless countries can lower risk premiums through credible governance, bankable delivery models and strong institutions,” he said.
To address these challenges, he outlined five priorities: strong political leadership, transparent governance and independent regulation, blended financing and risk-sharing mechanisms, stronger regional cooperation, and increased support from multilateral development banks and development finance institutions.
He also emphasized the need for investment in both infrastructure and human capital, including electricity grids, transport systems, engineers, regulators, safety experts and regional training centres.
Small modular reactors, Gatete added, may offer a practical entry point for several African countries because of their scalability and suitability for smaller electricity grids and industrial zones.
He said decisions taken today on energy policy and investment would shape Africa’s development trajectory for decades to come.
“Our task is not merely to expand power generation. It is to build the energy foundations of Africa’s next development era,” Gatete said.
He reaffirmed the ECA’s commitment to supporting African countries through technical cooperation, policy guidance and strategic partnerships aimed at turning nuclear energy ambitions into practical implementation.
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