Africa Needs $24 Billion Yearly for Energy, Says UN Advisor

Africa needs $24 billion annually to tackle its energy problem, United Nations special advisor to the UN secretary general on the millennium development goals (MDGs) said on Monday.

Addressing the African Union summit, Professor Jeffrey Sachs said Africa will also need $5 billion for its water development and another one billion for irrigation activities.

Sachs told the African leaders that the continent is in need of extra resources to minimize the risks it is facing in the energy and water as well as other social infrastructure.

The majority of African countries depend on oil import while as few countries like Angola, Nigeria and Sudan export oil.

“We need extra resources,” he said.

He said that while Africa is in need of such resources, the United States spends one trillion dollars for the war in Iraq.

“This is money, which Africa didn’t receive in total from the donor community,” he said.

The summit, attended by over 40 African leaders, is discussing water and sanitation as well as peace and security in some member countries.

Source African Press Agency

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