Global Citizen is set to host its first-ever Global Citizen NOW summit in Africa on November 21, 2025, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The summit, themed Scaling Up Renewables in Africa, will bring together world leaders, investors, philanthropists, and artists to accelerate access to clean and sustainable energy across the continent.
Among the high-profile guests are President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway. Also confirmed to attend are Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former UN Under-Secretary-General, and Sipho Makhubela, CEO of Harith General Partners.
The summit will be hosted by South African actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha, a Global Citizen Ambassador, and supported by partners including Harith General Partners, Octopus Energy, Pele Energy Group, TransEnergy Global, Genesis Energy, and PayPal.
The Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign aims to quadruple the continent’s renewable energy capacity by 2030 and provide clean energy access to more than 600 million Africans who currently live without electricity.
“Africa’s moment is now,” President Ramaphosa said. “Through decisive action and global solidarity, we can accelerate Africa’s clean energy future and strengthen the foundations of shared progress.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added that Europe is committed to working with Africa to drive a clean and prosperous future through its Global Gateway investment strategy.
The summit will feature prominent African voices including Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Nandi Madida, Matsi Modise, and the Mzansi Youth Choir, among others. Discussions will focus on sustainable energy, climate resilience, and global health — in line with the upcoming G20 Summit’s themes of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.
Host Nomzamo Mbatha described the event as a crucial platform to “turn ambition into action” by aligning governments, investors, and citizens behind a shared vision for Africa’s green transition.
Global Citizen Co-founder and CEO Hugh Evans said the Johannesburg summit represents a defining moment for Africa’s future.
“We’re calling on governments and the private sector to move capital and technology to the frontlines of Africa’s clean energy transition,” he noted. “Now the world must match Africa’s ambition with action.”
Ahead of the main summit, a Reverse Power Panel will be held on November 17 to spotlight young African innovators shaping the continent’s renewable energy future.
The Global Citizen NOW series has previously been hosted in New York, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Detroit, and Seville, making Johannesburg the first African city to host the global action platform.
For more details, visit globalcitizen.org/en/now/johannesburg.
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