South Africa to host landmark Global Citizen NOW Action Summit on renewable energy

Global Citizen, renowned as the world’s largest movement dedicated to ending extreme poverty, has selected South Africa to host the prestigious Global Citizen NOW Action Summit.

Scheduled for Friday, 21 November 2025, at the Sandton Convention Centre, this summit comes just ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit, marking a pivotal moment for the continent in the arena of renewable energy.

The event will see global leaders gather on the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, with a line-up of distinguished speakers, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia; Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway; Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Deputy President of South Africa, among many others.

Much like the G20 Summit, the event, which will serve as the catalytic moment of the year-long Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign, marks the first-ever Global Citizen NOW summit on the African continent.

The campaign, hosted by Ramaphosa alongside von der Leyen, in partnership with Global Citizen and supported by the International Energy Agency (IEA), is calling for financial commitments from governments, the private sector, and multilateral development banks to amp up Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030.

This is done to address the unmet energy needs of the 600 million people across the continent who still lack access to electricity.

The campaign will also contribute to the World Bank and the African Development Bank’s Mission 300.

Media personality and distinguished actress Nomzamo Mbatha will play host, while the likes of Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Sherwin Charles, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Jito Kayumba, and Nandi Madida have been earmarked as the special occasion’s additional speakers.

Ramaphosa, who is the current chairperson of the G20 Summit set for the Nasrec Conference Centre from November 22 and November 23, has revealed that at the core of the summit is the Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign, featuring new announcements and commitments that advance Africa’s clean energy future.

This campaign aims to secure commitments to provide clean energy access for 10 million households, with 4.6 million already pledged to date.

Beyond this, discussions will focus on strengthening global health security, driving climate resilience, and shaping shared priorities aligned with the G20’s 2025 themes of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, all with the end goal to end extreme poverty and defend the planet.

“Africa’s moment is now. Our continent holds the key to a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world. Through decisive action and global solidarity, we can accelerate Africa’s clean energy future through a just transition, creating enduring opportunities for our people and strengthening the foundations of shared progress,” President Ramaphosa states.

According to von der Leyen, the continent of Africa holds immense potential for renewable energy, and the world is taking notice.

Through our Global Gateway investment strategy, Europe is partnering with Africa to build a clean, sustainable, and prosperous future. This campaign was launched to unite global efforts and mobilise both public and private investment, expanding access to energy and driving lasting growth. My message is clear: now is the time to invest in powering Africa’s future. I look forward to many milestone announcements ahead of the pledging event in Johannesburg later this month,” she adds.

For President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia: “Africa’s growth and resilience depend on building a diverse, sustainable energy mix that can withstand climate shocks, and by investing in solar, hydro, and wind power, we can drive our continent’s industrial growth and create a cleaner, more prosperous future for all."