- The campaign aims to generate 26.8GW of renewable power for African communities.
- The EU leads the funding, contributing more than €15.1 billion.
Africa’s clean energy transition has gained strong momentum after the European Union and global partners rallied €15.5 billion to expand renewable energy across the continent. Africa’s clean energy transition sits at the heart of this year-long mobilisation campaign, which President Ursula von der Leyen and President Cyril Ramaphosa jointly led. The initiative aims to widen electricity access, strengthen sustainable industries, and steer African nations away from fossil fuels.
Furthermore, the campaign aligns with global energy efficiency goals and broader efforts to accelerate renewable energy deployment. It also demonstrates growing international commitment to a greener global economy.
The EU delivered over €15.1 billion of the total fund. Additionally, President von der Leyen pledged more than €10 billion on behalf of Team Europe. The remaining support arrived through contributions from Member States, European development finance institutions, and private investors.
Speaking in Johannesburg, von der Leyen said the world had shown exceptional support for Africa’s ambitions. She stressed that the financing package could transform millions of lives. It could also unlock new industries and create long-term employment across the continent. She noted that Africa leads the vision while Europe stands as a committed partner.
Team Europe’s contributions include new Global Gateway projects backed by Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Moreover, institutions such as the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expanded their energy commitments. Several countries, including Sweden, Austria, Portugal, and Ireland, provided additional bilateral support. The EBRD also confirmed an extra €600 million investment package.
The African Development Bank pledged at least 20 per cent of its next African Development Fund cycle to renewable energy. Additionally, Norway contributed approximately €53 million through its support to the Fund from 2026 to 2028.
Organisers said the pledges could generate 26.8 gigawatts of clean energy and provide reliable power to 17.5 million households. The EU highlighted that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, despite the continent’s significant solar potential. It added that financing barriers, logistical issues and supply chain constraints continue to slow progress.
The “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign began in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro. It pushed governments, investors and philanthropies to support cleaner energy systems. It also reinforced COP28 objectives, which include tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The EU confirmed that all new financing falls under the Global Gateway strategy, with a strong focus on modernising grids, power trade infrastructure, and continent-wide renewable projects.