…say 600m people still lacking electricity, with Africa’s population projected to double by 2050
By Gloria Ikibah
Europe has thrown its weight behind Africa’s clean-energy transition, with a year-long global campaign spearheaded by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, securing €15.5 billion in new investments for renewable power across the continent. 
In a statement issued by the Commision, the effort which run in partnership with Global Citizen and backed by the International Energy Agency, was designed to unlock public and private financing for Africa’s shift away from fossil fuels, expand electricity access for millions, and support a new era of sustainable, low-carbon industrial growth.
The European Union led the pledging drive, contributing more than €15.1 billion. This includes over €10 billion pledged by President von der Leyen on behalf of Team Europe, alongside substantial bilateral commitments from European governments, development banks, and private investors.
President von der Leyen said: “Today, the world has stepped up for Africa. With €15.5 billion, we are turbocharging Africa’s clean-energy transition. Millions more people could gain access to electricity; real, life-changing power for families, for businesses, for entire communities. This investment is a surge of opportunity: thriving markets, new jobs, and reliable, clean energy that meets the needs of partners across the globe. President Ramaphosa and I both look forward to a clean-energy future for the continent. A future led by Africa, with strong support from its friend and partner, Europe.”
The Team Europe package includes new Global Gateway projects co-financed by Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, as well as major injections from the European Investment Bank (€2.1 billion) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (€740 million). Additional bilateral commitments topped €5 billion, with Italy (€2.4 billion), Germany (over €2 billion), the Netherlands including FMO (€250 million), Portugal (€113 million), Denmark (€81 million), Sweden (€44 million), Austria (€5 million) and Ireland (€5 million) all adding substantial funds. The EBRD also announced a separate €600 million investment.
Beyond European support, the African Development Bank has also pledged to allocate at least 20% of its 17th African Development Fund replenishment to renewable energy, while Norway committed about €53 million through its African Development Fund contribution covering 2026–2028.
The campaign also delivered significant technical commitments: 26.8 GW of new renewable-energy generation and electricity access for 17.5 million households currently living without reliable power.
Of the €10 billion pledged earlier by President von der Leyen, €3.1 billion had already been announced at high-level engagements including the EU–South Africa summit, the Mattei Plan event, the Africa Climate Summit, the UN General Assembly, and the Global Gateway Forum. A further €7 billion was unveiled during the final pledging event in Johannesburg on 21 November.
Since launching in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024, the “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign has aimed to galvanise global ambition toward COP28 goals — including tripling renewable-energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency worldwide.
With 600 million people still lacking electricity and Africa’s population projected to double by 2050, clean and affordable power is seen as essential not only for the continent’s development but for global climate efforts.
Despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar resources, Africa attracts just 2% of global energy investment, constrained by high capital costs, weak investment flows and infrastructure gaps.
Through the Global Gateway strategy and the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative, EU disclosed that it is working closely with African governments to unlock this potential, strengthen regional power systems, and build long-term partnerships for a sustainable energy future.
