The European Union has unveiled a €15.5 billion commitment to accelerate Africa’s shift to clean energy, in a major boost to renewable-energy generation, electricity access and climate-resilient development across the continent.
The pledge, announced through a statement from the European Commission, forms the centrepiece of a year-long campaign led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to mobilise global investment for Africa’s renewable-energy transition.
According to the Commission, the EU led the pledging effort with more than €15.1 billion, including “over €10 billion” announced by von der Leyen on behalf of Team Europe, alongside substantial bilateral commitments from European financial institutions, Member States and private investors.
The campaign, organised with Global Citizen and supported by the International Energy Agency, seeks to expand access to reliable electricity, drive economic growth, and support Africa’s industrial decarbonisation.
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Von der Leyen described the initiative as a transformative investment in the continent’s energy future.
“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,” she said.
She added that the programme would open “thriving markets, new jobs, and reliable, clean energy,” while reinforcing Europe’s partnership with Africa.
The statement detailed new Global Gateway projects backed by contributions from Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, as well as significant financing from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Bilateral contributions were also announced by Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Ireland, amounting to more than €5 billion. The EBRD further confirmed a separate €600 million investment.
As part of the campaign, the African Development Bank pledged to allocate at least 20% of the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment to renewable energy. Norway also committed around €53 million through its 2026–2028 contribution.
Launched in November 2024, the “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign has helped advance COP28 global targets to triple renewable-energy capacity and double energy-efficiency improvements.
According to the Commission, the campaign secured commitments capable of delivering 26.8 GW of new renewable-energy capacity and providing clean electricity to 17.5 million households currently without reliable access.
Of the €10 billion pledged by von der Leyen, €3.1 billion had been previously announced at key summits and events throughout 2025, while €7 billion was confirmed at the final pledging event in Johannesburg on 21 November.
The EU also noted that additional renewable-energy investments from Team Europe actors could reach €4 billion by 2030.
Highlighting the urgency of the transition, the statement said 600 million Africans still lack electricity access, even though the continent holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources. Despite this potential, Africa receives just 2% of global energy investment due to high capital costs, limited finance and infrastructure challenges.
Through the Global Gateway and the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative, the EU is supporting renewable-energy projects, transmission infrastructure and cross-border electricity trade, while building long-term partnerships to advance Africa’s clean-energy future.
