Antonio Guterres Urges Financial Reforms to Unlock Africa's Potential

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for increased global support and comprehensive reforms to the international financial system to help Africa meet its Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the fifth annual Global Africa Business Initiative meeting in New York on September 20, 2026, Guterres described Africa as a US$3 trillion market opportunity.

He highlighted that the continent possesses 30 percent of global mineral resources and 60 percent of global solar energy potential. To leverage these assets, Guterres urged for deeper mobilization of private finance, increased climate funding, and the empowerment of women and youth to ensure natural resources generate local value.

Guterres linked long-term sustainable prosperity to peace and political stability. As part of this effort, he renewed his demand for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council to ensure the continent has a formal voice in global security governance.