UN chief: World paying the price for unfair treatment of Africa
By Aloys Michael, May 13, 2026United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has said the world is bearing the consequences of the continued unfair treatment and underrepresentation of Africa in the global multilateral system.
In an interview with a local TV station on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, after the Africa Forward Summit, Guterres said Africa continues to generate solutions to global challenges such as climate change and economic instability, yet remains sidelined in international decision-making platforms and financial systems.
“This is not a continent waiting for solutions. This is a continent producing them. But let us be honest about what stands in Africa’s way,” he said.
The UN chief argued that the current global system was designed without Africa and continues to perpetuate historical injustices through unequal representation and restrictive financial structures.
“And without the voice, representation, and decision-making power it deserves inside the international financial institutions that shape its economy. It is not Africa that loses. It is the world that loses by the fact that the voice of Africa is not taken into account,” Guterres stated.
Guterres also renewed calls for reforms at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to allow Africa greater representation, including permanent seats and veto powers.
The Africa Forward Summit brought together African Heads of State and government officials to discuss the continent’s development agenda and strategies to reduce dependence on foreign aid and loans from the global north.
President William Ruto has previously called for Africa to be allocated two permanent seats at the UN Security Council as part of wider reforms to the global governance system.
Earlier, Guterres had criticised the global financial system for imposing high borrowing costs on African countries, saying the continent is being unfairly penalised despite having strong economic potential and stable financial prospects.
Speaking on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi, during the inauguration of the United Nations Nairobi Expansion Project, Guterres said African nations are paying far more for development loans than wealthier countries.
“It is not acceptable that African countries pay more than three times what developed countries pay to obtain the loans they need for development. Many of these countries have more solid financial situations and better development prospects than developed countries that obtain resources at much lower costs. This is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.
He said the current global financial architecture continues to disadvantage African countries, limiting their ability to access affordable financing for development and economic growth.