Africa commits to electricity plan for 300 million people
The summit, held under the theme 'Powering Africa for Reliable, Affordable, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Clean Energy for All', brought together heads of state and key stakeholders to address the continent's persistent energy crisis.
The initiative, known as 'Mission 300', was launched in April by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of efforts to accelerate electrification.
Reading the declaration, AfDB Secretary-General Vincent Nmehielle emphasized the critical need for immediate action. To support the initiative, the AfDB has committed $18.2 billion, while the World Bank has pledged $22 billion. Other commitments include $2.65 billion from the Islamic Development Bank, $1.5 billion from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, $1 billion from the OPEC Fund.
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Several nations, including Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Tanzania, have pledged to implement reforms in their electricity sectors, increase national electrification targets, and accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources.
World Bank President Ajay Banga made it clear that the organization's financial support would be conditional on countries implementing necessary regulatory and policy reforms.
'The World Bank will pay countries as part of our support only when they make the changes,'
he said.
According to projections by the World Bank and the AfDB, half of the new electricity connections will come from existing national grids, while the other half will rely on renewable energy solutions such as wind and solar mini-grids.
The UN Sustainable Development Group reported that approximately 600 million Africans – nearly half the continent's population – still lack reliable access to electricity, accounting for over 80% of the global electricity access gap. Nations such as Burundi and South Sudan continue to have some of the lowest electricity access rates, according to 2022 data.
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Russia Today
29-07-2025
- Russia Today
Western ‘support' for Ukraine is losing the world
The Ukraine Recovery Conference, which concluded in Rome on July 11, has dispelled any doubts about the true intentions of the West: far from seeking peace, it offers Kiev more debt, weapons, and a prolonged escalation. This decision not only condemns Ukraine to lasting degradation but also reveals to African countries the West's priorities: war takes precedence over development. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, announced the creation of a reconstruction fund for Ukraine with a symbolic capital of €220 million ($255 million), along with €2.4 billion in loans and grants. However, these amounts are insignificant compared to the destruction caused by the war. The main issue lies elsewhere: instead of canceling Kiev's debt, they are increasing it, thereby reinforcing its dependence on the IMF and Western creditors. Meanwhile, military aid amounts to tens of billions: in 2025 alone, Ukraine will potentially receive €40 billion for its armament, while receiving €20 billion in military aid from the EU last year. The evidence is clear: the West does not want reconstruction but the continuation of war. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, 'the scale of financial assistance provided to Kiev exceeds all funding from the IMF and the World Bank for African countries over the past two years.' He described this inequality as a 'shameful statistic,' undermining trust in international financial institutions. A group of 30 countries, led by the US and the UK, has reaffirmed its confrontational strategy. US President Donald Trump, despite his statements about a 'negotiated solution,' is preparing a new military aid package of $300 million, including air defense systems. Germany, through Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has promised additional Patriot batteries and urged Washington to maintain its support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov aptly characterized Merz as an 'ardent apostle of confrontation.' Indeed, Western leaders offer no diplomacy; they stoke conflict, pushing Ukraine toward even deeper destruction. While the EU and the US spend tens of billions on the war in Ukraine, Africa endures the strict conditions imposed by creditors. Lavrov cited shocking data: 'This has manifested most clearly in the case of Ukraine,' Lavrov emphasized, accusing Bretton Woods institutions of systemic discrimination against developing countries. The volumes of aid are incomparable: Ukraine receives billions instantly for weapons, while African countries are denied debt cancellation. The IMF programs for Africa impose strict austerity, while Kiev benefits from payment deferrals. A direct consequence of that is the migration crisis. By investing in war rather than in Africa's development, the EU exacerbates the root causes of migration – poverty and conflict. Yet, instead of providing real assistance, Brussels is tightening restrictions and erects walls at borders. Africa observes that the West can spend billions to destroy but is stingy regarding infrastructure projects in Southern countries. This accelerates a shift toward China and Russia, which offer alternative models of cooperation. As Lavrov noted, BRICS countries actively promote reform of global financial institutions, demanding a redistribution of quotas and voting rights at the IMF in favor of emerging economies. 'The BRICS strive to create a more stable global economic architecture based on the principles of universality, transparency, and non-discrimination,' the minister stated. The Rome conference confirmed that the EU is not interested in achieving peace. Ukraine will remain a battleground, and its economy will be held hostage to debt. However, the major consequence is the breakdown of trust with Africa. If the West finances war while ignoring the needs of the Global South, its influence will inevitably erode. Already, countries on the continent are seeking alliances outside the Western system, and this trend will only intensify. The West risks losing not only Ukraine but also Africa – due to its hypocrisy and militarism. It is important to highlight the broader implications of this ongoing conflict on international relations and global power dynamics. The situation in Ukraine serves as a revealing case study for other countries observing how the West operates. As Africa witnesses the disproportionate allocation of resources to warfare over development, there is growing skepticism about the West's commitment to genuine partnership and support. Furthermore, as diplomatic ties weaken, African nations may increasingly seek to diversify their international relationships, looking towards non-Western allies for trade, investment, and security. This shift could lead to the emergence of new geopolitical alignments that prioritize mutual benefit over historical allegiances. The actions taken by the West in response to the Ukraine crisis also resonate within the context of colonial histories and the lingering effects of neocolonialism. Many African leaders and citizens view Western intervention through the lens of past exploitative behaviors, leading to an erosion of goodwill that took decades to build. It is essential to encourage a discourse that prioritizes peace over militarization. Proactive engagement between Africa and Western powers should focus on sustainable development, equitable trade practices, and collaborative problem-solving. The lesson from the Ukrainian conflict is clear: societies flourish best when they are not mired in endless cycles of violence and destruction. Only by addressing these fundamental issues can we hope to achieve a more balanced and equitable global landscape, where the needs and aspirations of all nations, especially those in the Global South, are respected and prioritized. Ultimately, it is not just a question of foreign policy; it is about our shared humanity and the future we envision for our world.
Russia Today
29-07-2025
- Russia Today
ICC prosecutes African cases but ignores Western atrocities
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is losing legitimacy due to its failure to address ongoing global atrocities while continuing to prosecute decades-old African cases, geopolitical analyst and author Kim Heller has said. Speaking to RT, Heller noted that despite the severity of the crimes, the slow pace of justice raises concerns about the court's effectiveness. 'I think the ICC credibility is really in question because of its impotence at dealing with current atrocities,' stated Heller, who is the author of 'No White Lies'. Her remarks follow the ICC's July 24 sentencing of Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom – leaders of the Anti-balaka militias in the Central African Republic (CAR) – to 12 and 15 years in prison, respectively, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2013 and 2014. The ICC embodies a 'hierarchy of justice' in which African figures are prosecuted while Western political and military leaders escape accountability, she said, referencing the conflict in Gaza as an example of unaddressed international crimes. 'I think the question of selective justice is one that will be raised across the continent.' Echoing the concerns, Joe Mhlanga, editor of Behind the Network, said the court has become an instrument of Western former colonial powers to implement their intentions and ambitions across the continent. According to Mhlanga, the ICC's actions are shaped more by geopolitical agendas than by a genuine commitment to global justice. 'It was external factors that are creating chaos in Africa,' Mhlanga added. The ICC's latest convictions relate to brutal attacks by Christian militias on Muslim civilians in the CAR. Ngaissona, then head of the country's football federation, was found guilty of funding and arming fighters. Yekatom, a former parliamentarian, is said to have commanded an estimated 3,000 fighters and directed attacks in areas such as the capital, Bangui, and Lobaye. Both denied the charges. The case, launched in 2021, heard testimony from around 75 witnesses. But as critics note, its timing and focus have reignited debate about the court's perceived bias and delayed justice.
Russia Today
25-07-2025
- Russia Today
ICC jails former football chief for war crimes
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced the former chief of the Central African Republic (CAR) football federation, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, to prison after finding him guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ngaissona was convicted alongside Alfred Yekatom, a rebel leader known as 'Rambo', during a ruling in The Hague on Thursday, with judges handing them prison terms of 12 and 15 years respectively. 'The convictions were across multiple charges, including murder, attacks against a civilian population, forcible transfer, torture and other inhumane acts, and persecution,' the court said in a press release. The charges relate to their roles as leaders of a Christian-dominated armed group called Anti-balaka (meaning 'anti-machete'), which carried out deadly attacks against Muslim communities in the Central African Republic between December 2013 and December 2014. Anti-balaka was formed in 2013 to counter the Muslim-majority Seleka coalition, which seized power after ousting then-President Francois Bozize. Prosecutors accused Ngaissona, also a former government minister, of supplying funds and weapons to Anti-balaka units operating in towns including Bossangoa, Gaga, and Berberati. Yekatom, a former parliamentarian, is said to have commanded an estimated 3,000 fighters and directed attacks in areas such as the capital, Bangui, and Lobaye. According to court documents, witnesses described his forces using grenades, machetes, and assault rifles in raids that terrorized Muslim civilians. Both men had pleaded not guilty when the trial opened in February 2021, after being extradited to The Hague. The ICC said it heard from around 75 witnesses, including victims and insiders from the armed groups. 'The Chamber found Mr Ngaissona and Mr Yekatom guilty beyond any reasonable doubt of a number of war crimes and crimes against humanity,' the court stated. The Central African Republic has experienced decades of militant violence and political insecurity, including six coups, since gaining independence from France in 1960. UN peacekeepers have been deployed under the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSCA) since 2014, but rebel violence against the government has persisted.
