The European Union (EU) has announced a landmark €545 million investment package aimed at scaling up renewable energy infrastructure across Africa. The announcement was made via video message during the Global Citizen Festival, held in parallel with the United Nations General Assembly, and published on the EU’s official website.
This initiative marks a significant expansion of the EU and Team Europe’s clean energy efforts on the continent, focusing on electrification, modernizing power grids, and improving access to sustainable energy sources. The funding is part of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, which seeks to foster inclusive, resilient, and climate-friendly development partnerships.
According to the European Union’s official statement:
Investing now in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power is not just a moral and development imperative; it is also a strategic choice. It strengthens supply chains, creates up to 38 million green jobs by 2030, and makes energy systems more resilient.
The €545 million package will be distributed across nine African nations, supporting a range of renewable energy projects:
- Côte d’Ivoire: €359.4 million for high-voltage power infrastructure to enhance regional energy distribution.
- Cameroon: €59.1 million for rural electrification initiatives.
- Somalia: €45.5 million to expand access to affordable renewable energy.
- Republic of Congo: €3.5 million to support solar, wind, and hydropower development.
- Lesotho: €25.9 million for the Renewable Lesotho programme, unlocking wind and hydro energy.
- Ghana: €2 million to prepare for a large-scale solar park and regional energy trade.
- Madagascar: €33.2 million to deploy mini-grids for rural electrification.
- Mozambique: €13 million to support low-emission energy transition and encourage private sector participation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the Global Citizen Festival, emphasized the global significance of Africa’s energy choices:
The choices Africa makes today are shaping the future of the entire world. A clean energy transition on the continent will create jobs, stability, growth, and help deliver our global climate goals. The European Union, through the Global Gateway investment plan, is fully committed to supporting Africa on its clean energy path.
Despite Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, nearly 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity. The EU’s investment aims to close this gap while unlocking economic opportunities. According to the European Commission, renewables could generate up to 38 million green jobs by 2030, transforming livelihoods and boosting regional economies.
The Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign is being implemented in partnership with Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization, and benefits from policy support provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In a related development, the EU announced in June a €10.4 million investment in the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP). This initiative aims to equip primary healthcare centres with reliable solar energy solutions, enhancing service delivery and sustainability in the health sector. Inga Stephanowicz, Head of Section for Green & Digital Economy at the EU, shared this update during the Project Developers Roundtable Workshop for NISHP in Abuja.
