Europe has committed €15.5 billion to fast-track renewable energy development across Africa, marking a significant boost for the continent’s clean-energy ambitions.
The announcement came at the conclusion of a year-long international campaign led by the European Commission and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The initiative, known as the “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign, aims to expand electricity access, enhance clean-energy generation, and drive sustainable economic growth across the continent.
According to a statement from the EU Delegation in Abuja, more than €15.1 billion of the total pledge came from European sources, including €10 billion from the Team Europe package led by President Ursula von der Leyen. Additional funding comes from European financial institutions, member states, and development finance organizations, alongside private sector investment.
“Today, the world has stepped up for Africa. With €15.5 billion, we are turbocharging Africa’s clean-energy transition,” von der Leyen said. “Millions more people could gain access to electricity — real, life-changing power for families, businesses, and entire communities. This investment creates thriving markets, new jobs, and reliable, clean energy that meets global needs.”
The Team Europe package encompasses projects co-financed by Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, as well as contributions from the European Investment Bank (€2.1 billion) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (€740 million). Additional bilateral commitments from European nations, including Italy (€2.4 billion), Germany (€2 billion), the Netherlands (€250 million), Portugal (€113 million), Denmark (€81 million), Sweden (€44 million), Austria (€5 million), and Ireland (€5 million), brought total European pledges to over €15 billion.
Beyond European contributions, the African Development Bank pledged to allocate at least 20 percent of the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment to renewable energy, while Norway committed approximately €53 million for 2026–2028.
Campaign organizers estimate that the pledged funding will deliver 26.8 gigawatts of renewable-energy capacity and provide clean electricity to 17.5 million households currently without reliable power.
Launched in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, the campaign aligns with COP28 goals to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy-efficiency improvements. Africa continues to face significant energy deficits, with 600 million people lacking electricity. Despite holding 60 percent of the world’s top solar resources, the continent attracts just 2 percent of global energy investment due to high capital costs, geographic constraints, and supply-chain challenges.
Through the Global Gateway Strategy and the Africa–Europe Green Energy Initiative, the EU has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to expanding renewable generation, strengthening electricity transmission, and boosting cross-border energy trade across Africa.
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