U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says ensuring people in Africa have access to reliable, efficient and affordable energy sources needs to be a priority.

The U.N. chief said in a statement marking Sunday's Africa Industrialization Day that a lack of energy access is a major hurdle for the continent's social and economic development.

Mr. Ban said 600 million people in Africa do not have access to sustainable modern energy.

He says addressing the issue is key in promoting industrial development and creating jobs, and in making Africa's economy more resilient.

But Mr. Ban said energy solutions should not endanger the environment or the welfare of future generations.