Press Briefing Notes

H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid

Commissioner, Infrastructure and Energy

Building a Strong Foundation for Agenda 2063: Reflecting on 8 Years of AU Achievements in Advancing Africa's Infrastructure.

Introduction

•   Good afternoon esteemed members of the press attending both in person and online, thank you for joining us today for this important briefing.

•   Today, we will reflect on the Commission's journey over the past eight years in advancing infrastructure development and contributing to the physical integration of our continent building on the aspirations of AGENDA 2063 our broad longterm strategy for an integrated,  prosperous and peaceful Africa.

•   Through its Infrastructure and Energy department, the  African Union (AU) has consistently placed significant emphasis on infrastructure development, recognizing its critical role as a driver of economic growth, trade, and regional integration.

•   Infrastructure is essential for overcoming Africa’s economic challenges and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity. By improving transportation, energy, and digital networks, we are enabling better market access, reducing business costs, and fostering intra-Africa trade. Moreover, investments in infrastructure have supported sustainable development, created jobs, enhanced public services, and elevated the quality of life for millions.

•   Since 2017, we have made substantial progress in advancing several key initiatives, including the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), as well as the launch of new initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), and the Digital Transformation Strategy.

•   Significant progress has been achieved in the development, harmonisation and implementation of policies, strategies, and programs to drive infrastructure and energy initiatives at the continental level, aligning with the African Union Agenda 2063.

•   In today’s briefing, I will outline the key initiatives we have undertaken over the past eight years, highlighting the significant achievements we have made. I am both pleased and proud to share these developments with you and our fellow Africans, and I look forward to addressing any questions you may have.

1. Energy

-    The African Union (AU) continues to drive transformative initiatives in the energy sector, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to energy security, market integration, and sustainability, through the flagship initiatives such as the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP), and programmes such as the GRMF, Green Hydrogen, Solar and Rural Electrification Frameworks, Renewable Energy in African Island States, Africa is making significant progress toward its Agenda 2063 energy goals.

African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM):

-    AU developed the Strategy and Action Plan for the Harmonization of Regulatory Frameworks in the African Energy Sector in 2017, laying the foundation for AfSEM. The market will be the largest in Africa connecting 55-AU Member States and and serves as the cornerstone for integrating and expanding Africa’s electricity networks.

-    The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) achieved significant milestones, including its adoption in February 2021 at the AU Summit and its recognition as a flagship project under the Second Ten-Year Plan of Agenda 2063 in February 2024.

- Key successes also include the development of harmonized regulatory frameworks, transmission tariff methodologies, and operational guidelines for regional power pools. However, challenges remain, such as regulatory disparities, insufficient infrastructure and interconnection between power pools, and limited private sector investment due to perceived market risks.

Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP):

- Building on AfSEM’s success, the CMP coordinated by AUDA-NEPAD identifies and prioritizes investments in power generation and transmission infrastructure to enhance regional electricity trade. By 2040, CMP aims to increase the continent’s installed power capacity from 263 GW in 2023 to over 1,200 GW.

Geothermal Energy Development:

• Africa’s geothermal potential has seen substantial growth through the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF), which has allocated over $100 million in grants, supporting a pipeline of more than 40 geothermal projects with a combined capacity of 3.5 GW.
• The Geothermal HEAT initiative now expands GRMF’s scope to include direct-use applications, with two successful funding rounds completed. Additionally, the New Zealand-Africa Geothermal Facility (NZ-AGF) has enhanced technical expertise across AU Member States, leading to the development of the Africa Geothermal Drilling Code.

Grand Inga Hydropower Project:

- The Grand Inga Project, a flagship initiative under Agenda 2063, has the potential to generate 42 GW of clean electricity, significantly boosting energy access across Africa.

- The AU has supported the project’s legal and institutional framework, including the enactment of Inga-specific legislation in the DRC and the creation of a dedicated Presidential unit to oversee development.

- Additionally, intergovernmental agreements and MoUs have been signed, including a renewed South Africa-DRC power trade agreement and discussions on interconnection corridors linking DRC to Nigeria and Southern Africa.

Green Hydrogen Development:

• To position Africa as a leader in the emerging green hydrogen market, the AU has developed a Green Hydrogen Strategy and Action Plan, outlining policy and technical priorities for establishing a competitive green hydrogen sector.
• The plan supports energy security, intra-Africa trade, and global exports, with a strong focus on decarbonizing industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Energy Information System and Energy Statistics in Africa:

• We are very proud to announce that Africa now has a reliable, up-to-date and quality Energy Information System. The African Energy Information System (AEIS) comprises high quality time series energy data for all 55 African Union Member States, from 2000 to 2022. It covers data on Energy Balance, Energy Efficiency, Energy Prices and Taxes, and Power Plants Capacity in Africa. The AEIS is currently the effective tool for planning, monitoring and evaluating energy policies and programs at national, regional and continental levels.

Energy Efficiency Programme:

• In line with the global initiative to double the energy efficiency rate by 2030, the Commission has developed the African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES), roadmap and action plan as part of the Energy Efficiency Programme.
• This strategy, developed with support from the European Union (EU) Global Technical Assistance Facility (GTAF) for Sustainable Energy, aims to increase Africa’s energy productivity by 50% by 2050 and 70% by 2063.
• Following the approval of the continental strategy on energy efficiency by the African Ministers during the 3rd Extraordinary Session of STC-TE held on December 03-05, 2024, and the call for the establishment of an African Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Commission is actively mobilizing partnership to achieve the set targets.
• Through these efforts, we have secured USD 2 million from the Kingdom of Demark and EURO 3 million from the European Union to support African Union Member States in implementing the actions outlined in the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan.

African Energy Transition:

• Africa is home to significant natural resources, including nearly 40% of the world’s renewable energy resources, critical energy transition minerals, and natural gas. The Commission has been leading the way in championing the African Common Position on Energy Access and Just Transition globally.
•  To solidify Africa’s position and guide our Member States towards a unified path, the Commission has developed the African Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan (ESTAP).

Oil & Gas Programme:

• Under this programme, AFREC has made significant progress in the promotion of expansion of regional domestic market for crude oil, oil products and natural gas, starting with Eastern Africa where an in-depth study was just concluded this month of February.
• The study shows that the Eastern Africa region has crude oil reserves potential more than 54 billion barrels and natural gas reserves of over 70.5 trillion cubic feet and yet all countries remain net importers of products.
• The study has demonstrated the huge opportunity that AU Member States in Eastern Africa have in harnessing the regional resources to meet the growing domestic demand. Similar studies will be extended to the other four regions of Africa

Clean Cooking Programme:

• The establishment of the African Clean Cooking Programme (AfCCP) under the leadership of AFREC marks a significant advancement in addressing the clean cooking challenge across Africa.
• Initiated following the call by African Ministers during the 4th Ordinary Session in Zanzibar, Tanzania, AfCCP has achieved several key milestones. These include the development of a comprehensive baseline assessment of clean cooking practices and fuel usage across all 55 African Member States. Additionally, the program has successfully collaborated with stakeholders to publish a detailed report, supported by partners such as MECS and ESMAP, providing insights, case studies, and actionable recommendations to advance clean cooking initiatives continent-wide.

2.  Information Society

- Africa is experiencing remarkable changes through initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, enhancing cybersecurity, and strengthening policy development and economic integration.

- The Department of Infrastructure and Energy has played a vital role in these transformations by launching several flagship projects aimed at building an inclusive and digitally secure continent. These efforts are fostering innovation, economic diversification, and social progress, positioning Africa at the forefront of the global digital economy.

Growth of the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS)

• An important development in this particular transfer has been the growth of the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS), as this growth increased the amount of AU Member States that possessed Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) from 18 to 35. This development is commendable because it has decreased the dependence on international transit, which has reduced costs and increased internet speeds in the region.

The Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) for Africa 2020-2030

• To build on the success of the AXIS expansion, the African Union launched the Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) for Africa 2020-2030. This comprehensive strategy serves as a master plan for the integration of technology across Africa’s economy, education, and even agriculture. It provides a crucial framework for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development through the effective application of modern technology.
• The strategy is supported by monitoring and evaluation systems, such as the DTS visualization dashboard, to enable policymakers to track progress easily and effectively.

The AU Data Policy Framework

• Recognizing data as a critical resource for development, the African Union has developed the Data Policy Framework. This framework is designed to ensure that Africa can leverage its data resources to achieve economic and social development while maintaining privacy and security standards.
• The focus on data sovereignty means that African nations will have control over their own data, ensuring that it is utilized in ways that benefit the continent, safeguarding it from external exploitation.

Africa Digital Single Market

• To further enhance Africa’s digital economy, the AU launched the Continental Strategy on Enabling Policy and Regulatory Environment for Africa’s Digital Single Market. This strategy aims to create a unified and secure digital marketplace by 2030, in line with the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• By developing cohesive policies and regulatory frameworks, the AU is working to integrate Africa’s digital economy, making it competitive and secure while promoting the free movement of data and digital services across borders.

Continetal Strategy for Artificial Intelligence

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the core focus areas of Africa’s digital future. In 2024, the AU approved the Continental Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, laying the groundwork for the responsible and ethical adoption of AI technologies.
• This strategy ensures that AI-driven transformation aligns with Africa’s development goals while addressing challenges related to ethics, security, and legal frameworks. The adoption of AI technologies is seen as key to driving innovation and solving problems unique to the continent.

Strengthening Cybersecurity with the Malabo Convention

• As the continent becomes increasingly digital, cybersecurity has become a key priority. The African Union made significant progress in this area by ratifying the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection. The convention has intered into force in June 2023.
• This marks a major leap toward establishing a legal framework to protect digital infrastructure, safeguard personal data, and combat cyber threats. The AU’s efforts in shaping Africa’s common position on international cybersecurity regulations have solidified the continent’s role in global digital governance.

Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy

• Recognising that 40% of African youths aged 15-24 have internet access which increases their exposure to online risks, the Department developed the African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy, adopted by the AU Summit in February 2024.
• This policy provides an integrated framework to address online risks while promoting digital literacy and child protection. It emphasizes the creation of a safe online environment for young Africans, including those with disabilities or special needs, enabling them to fully benefit from the digital opportunities available while staying protected.
• With improved digital infrastructure, advanced policy frameworks, and a strong focus on cybersecurity, Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in the digital era. Further investment, collaboration, and innovation will allow the continent to fully harness digital technologies, driving economic integration, inclusivity, and prosperity across the region.

3. Transport and Mobility

- The African Union (AU) is committed to advancing the integration and development of Africa's transport infrastructure, recognizing the critical role it plays in facilitating economic growth, regional integration, and the free movement of people and goods across the continent.

- By focusing on air, road, railway, and maritime transport, the AU seeks to address infrastructure gaps, harmonize regulations, and promote sustainable practices, ultimately ensuring that Africa becomes a global leader in integrated transport systems. Below are the key achievements and ongoing efforts within each transport sector to realize this vision.

Air Transport:

• Significant milestones continue to be achieved in the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an Agenda 2063 flagship project, since its launch during the 30th AU Summit in January 2018.
• As of 2024, 37 AU Member States have joined SAATM, representing 90% of all intra-Africa air traffic and offering the potential to serve over 1 billion Africans. The goal is to have SAATM fully operational by 2030, with at least 70% of 5th freedom traffic rights services offered by African airlines. This will contribute to increasing Africa’s share of global air traffic, which currently stands at just 2.1%.
• Additionally, a crucial achievement has been the development of an aviation infrastructure gap analysis, which identifies bankable continental projects aimed at closing aviation gaps and supporting a seamless airspace and air navigation system, alongside smart airports.
• The AU has also developed a continental strategy with an action plan focused on the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in Africa, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Road Transport

 

• Since 2017, significant progress has been made in the road transport sector toward creating an integrated network with smart and efficient transport corridors. This includes the development of a Trans-African Highway Network with 10 priority links and the establishment of a more efficient, harmonized regulatory framework for the road transport sector.
• The AU continues to coordinate the implementation of the Road Safety Action Plan for the decade 2021-2030, which was approved by the AU Summit in 2021. The AU has also established an interim African Road Safety Observatory and a network of national data coordinators focused on safety.
• Advocacy efforts have led to the signing and ratification of the Road Safety Charter, which has now been ratified by 12 AU Member States.

Railway Transport

• The AU continues to drive efforts for the implementation of the Africa Integrated Railway Network (AIRN), a flagship project under Agenda 2063. Coordination with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and railway agencies has been essential in prioritizing 13 pilot railway links for completion by 2033.
• The AU is leading engagements to ensure that the norms and standards for railway interoperability are effectively domesticated and implemented across Member States. Additionally, advocacy is underway for the ratification of the Luxembourg Protocol on rolling stock, a key step in ensuring the effective functioning of the African railway network.

Maritime Transport

-    A key achievement in the maritime transport sector has been the development of the African Maritime Charter, which focuses on implementing harmonized maritime transport policies to promote the sustained growth and development of the African maritime sector.

- The AU has also established initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and competitiveness of ports, as well as the digitalization of port operations and infrastructure across Africa. Furthermore, the African Green Ports Forum (AGPF) was launched, complete with its own roadmap and action plan, to strengthen coordination and promote the development of low-carbon maritime transport across the continent.

Decarbonization of the transport Sector:

• African Union’s transport sector initiatives are also closely aligned with the AU’s goal of decarbonizing Africa’s transportation systems. The focus has been on promoting railways, e-mobility, and decarbonizing aviation and maritime transport.
• Over the past eight years, advancing the African Integrated Railway Network (AIRN), with eight railway links now under construction or in operation the AU has prioritized innovations such as developing a strategy for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Low Carbon Fuels (LCAF) which will be adobted during this summit.
• Additionally, the AU has worked to reduce dependency on private motorization by promoting public transport and the transit-oriented development (TOD) approach in urban planning. The adoption of electric vehicles and a focus on meeting travel demand through public transport or rail are key strategies to reduce transport-related emissions.

4. Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)

- The African Union (AU) has been at the forefront of driving regional integration through infrastructure development, and one of its flagship initiatives is the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

- Launched in 2012, PIDA aims to enhance integration across transport, energy, ICT, and transboundary water sectors, fostering economic growth and cooperation across the continent. Since its inception, the AU has been actively involved in the implementation of PIDA, with significant progress made under both phases of the action plan.

- The first phase of the PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA PAP 1), implemented from 2012 to 2020, encompassed 51 projects and 433 individual sub-projects, with an estimated cost of US$ 68 billion. As of now, 67 of these projects are operational, 65 are under construction, and 26 are in the tendering phase, while 15 are nearing financial closure.

- These efforts have had a profound impact, providing 30 million people with access to electricity, increasing ICT broadband penetration to over 25% (surpassing the 10% target), and creating over 160,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.

- The second phase, PIDA PAP 2, covers the period from 2021 to 2030 and was adopted by the AU Summit in February 2021. This phase includes 69 priority projects worth US$ 161 billion, which are designed to continue driving regional integration through transport, energy, ICT, and water infrastructure.

- While much of the funding for PIDA projects has come from government sources, there is significant potential for increased private sector investment. The AU encourages private sector engagement for the financing and execution of these projects, which offer substantial opportunities for growth, innovation, and economic development.//

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