Durban, South Africa, 10 October 2025 – The African Union Commission and the Department of Electricity of South Africa launched the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF), a flagship legacy of South Africa’s G20 Presidency envisioned to serve as a continental mechanism to mobilise financing, harmonise policies, and scale up energy efficiency projects across Africa.

The AfEEF initiative, which is hosted by the AUC through the African Energy Commission (AFREC) has been launched during the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

The Joint Statement of Intent to establish the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF) was formally signed by H.E. Dr. Kgosientsho D. Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, on behalf of the Government of South Africa, and H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, on behalf of the African Union Commission.

The signing was witnessed by Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), who reaffirmed UNEP’s technical support and partnership in advancing the initiative.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ramokgopa underscored the importance of energy efficiency as the “first fuel” for enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to ensuring that the G20 Presidency delivers concrete outcomes for Africa’s energy future.
“As we embark on the launch of the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF), we are not merely initiating a programme; we are igniting a movement towards a sustainable and prosperous energy future for Africa.

Our commitment to energy efficiency as the ‘first fuel’ reflects our recognition that optimizing our energy resources is essential for driving economic growth, enhancing competitiveness, and achieving our climate goals. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient energy landscape that empowers our people and elevates our continent in the global arena,” he said.

H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union, highlighted that energy efficiency lies at the core of Africa’s development agenda, following the adoption of the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (AfEES) by African Heads of State and Government in February 2025.

The AfEES aims to increase Africa’s energy productivity by 12% over the next five years and by 50% by 2050, reinforcing the continent’s commitment to sustainable growth and climate resilience.

The Commissioner commended South Africa’s leadership in positioning energy security, access, and affordability as key priorities of its G20 Presidency, noting that the launch of the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF) represents a milestone in advancing Africa’s sustainable energy agenda.

“The launch of the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF) under the South African G20 Presidency’s legacy programme marks a significant step forward for the continent. This milestone complements the African Union’s ongoing efforts to promote energy efficiency as a driver of energy security, equity, and climate resilience,”

AfEES builds upon other initiatives under AU-Agenda 2063 such as the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) and the Continental Power System Masterplan (CMP) with a view to unlock Africa’s energy productivity while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Currently, close to 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, while almost one billion people do not have clean cooking solutions. Even where energy is available, losses of up to 60% in some utilities mean that services remain unreliable and costly.

Through AfEEF, Africa aims to mobilise at least USD three billion in investment for energy efficiency by 2030 and to improve Africa’s energy productivity by 12% by 2030, 50% by 2050, and 70% by 2063. The AfEEF is also targeting to create one million energy efficiency-related jobs by 2040 as well as avoiding more than 300 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions by 2040.

The AfEEF will further seek to strengthen the work of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) by harmonising standards and pooling investment opportunities.

With this launch African Union calls on African Member States, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society to join hands in operationalising AfEEF. Together, the partners reaffirmed their commitment to unlocking Africa’s energy productivity, advancing energy access, and contributing to global climate goals under Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

Media Inquiries:

1. Bezayit Eyoel| Information Analyst| Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union Commission| E-mail: BezayitE@africanunion.org|
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org
3. George Sichinga | Communication Officer | African Energy Commission (AFREC) |Email: Sichingag@africanunion.org