European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a €545 million Team Europe package aimed at accelerating Africa’s transition to clean energy. The funding will support new projects focused on electrification, grid modernization, and expanding access to renewable energy across the continent.

“This is not only a moral and developmental imperative, but also a strategic decision,” von der Leyen said, emphasizing that investing in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy strengthens supply chains, creates up to 38 million green jobs by 2030, and builds resilient energy systems.

Currently, nearly 600 million people in Africa still live without access to electricity, despite the continent’s vast renewable energy potential. According to the Commission, the new initiatives will play a critical role in Africa’s development, regional stability, and global climate action.

Funded projects across Africa

• The €545 million package will be distributed across multiple countries, targeting large-scale infrastructure and local energy access:
• Côte d’Ivoire (€359.4 million): construction of the “Dorsale Est” high-voltage transmission line to boost regional energy distribution.
• Cameroon (€59.1 million): rural electrification for 687 communities, reaching more than 2.5 million people.
• Republic of the Congo (€3.5 million): expanding access to renewable sources including solar, wind, and hydropower.
• Lesotho (€25.9 million): unlocking wind and hydropower potential through the Lesotho Renewable program.
• Ghana (€2 million): laying the groundwork for a large-scale solar park and regional energy trade.
• Central Africa (€3.3 million): technical assistance for the Central Africa Power Pool (CAPP), a financing mechanism for research and infrastructure, and a feasibility study for the “Boucle de l’Amitié” transmission line linking Pointe Noire, Brazzaville, and Kinshasa.
• Madagascar (€33.2 million): expansion of rural electrification with mini-grids.
• Mozambique (€13 million): supporting a low-emission energy transition and encouraging private sector participation.
• Somalia (€45.5 million): improving access to affordable renewable energy, promoting circular economy practices, and building climate-resilient agri-food systems.

Global campaign: “Scaling Renewables in Africa”

The announcement is part of the “Scaling Renewables in Africa” campaign, launched in partnership with international advocacy group Global Citizen and backed by the International Energy Agency. The campaign seeks to mobilize both public and private investment, encouraging governments, financial institutions, philanthropists, and the private sector to provide capital, technical expertise, and policy support.

The initiative will culminate in a high-level event during the G20 Summit in South Africa on 22–23 November 2025, co-hosted with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The campaign also aligns with the global objectives set at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.

EU’s Global Gateway strategy

The investment package is part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which aims to mobilize sustainable investments in infrastructure, energy, and connectivity worldwide. In early October, the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels will convene governments, financial institutions, and private sector leaders to further support Africa’s clean energy transition, building momentum toward the Johannesburg G20 Summit.

Von der Leyen highlighted that Africa’s choices today will shape not only its own future but also global progress on climate goals: “A clean energy transition in Africa will generate jobs, stability, and growth, while helping achieve our shared climate objectives. The European Union is fully committed to supporting Africa on this path.”

The announcement, delivered by von der Leyen in a video message during the Global Citizen Festival alongside the UN General Assembly, marks a milestone in Europe’s commitment to expanding renewable energy access in Africa and building lasting international partnerships.

When Africa thrives, the world thrives.

So Europe and South Africa, with civil society organisations such as @GlblCtzn, are 'Scaling up Renewables in Africa'.

It’s the final stretch of our campaign to mobilise investment.

See you soon at the G20 Summit. https://t.co/BVXLlZNtV7

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 24, 2025