Africa’s natural resources could give the continent a competitive advantage as the global economy shifts towards cleaner energy. The World Bank’s October 2026 Africa Economic Update identifies the transition as a potential source of economic growth for Sub-Saharan Africa, citing its abundant solar resources, renewable energy potential and deposits of minerals used in batteries and clean energy technologies.
Global solar power generation grew by an average of 40 percent annually between 2022 and 2025, exceeding earlier expectations and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
The World Bank describes the trend as a significant opportunity for the region, noting that “opportunities from an accelerating global shift to more green technologies represent a significant upside risk for Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Agriculture also presents another avenue for growth. The region has extensive areas of underused farmland, and improvements in productivity could expand food exports while strengthening domestic food supplies to meet the needs of a growing population.
Reliable electricity, transport infrastructure, skilled workers and effective policies are essential to attract investment, support local processing and create jobs. Without these, African countries could remain suppliers of raw materials for the global green economy, missing out on the industries, jobs and income that come from processing these resources locally.
The green transition offers Sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to move beyond resource extraction towards higher-value production. Stronger infrastructure, a skilled workforce and greater industrial capacity can help countries turn their natural advantages into lasting economic gains and compete in emerging green markets.
