Pledging for affordable energy The one-year long campaign ‘Scaling up Renewables in Africa’ has secured €15.5 billion to boost renewable power generation and access across the continent. The EU has led the pledging effort and contributed more than €15.1 billion to the campaign. The campaign also secured new commitments that will add 26.8 GW generated renewable energy and bring renewable electricity to 17.5 million households that currently lack reliable access. This support should help accelerate Africa’s clean-energy transition. It has the potential to bring electricity to millions more people, delivering benefits to families, businesses and entire communities. It also opens the door to new opportunities: growing markets, quality jobs, and reliable clean energy. more than €15.1 billionEU pledge26.8 GW generated renewable energyadditional commitments 17.5 million householdsbenefiting from renewable electricity in the future About the campaign Africa holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources, offering a significant opportunity for renewable energy. Despite this, the continent attracts only 3% of global energy investment, and some 600 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, still lack access to electricity. In November 2024, the European Commission and the Republic of South Africa, together with international advocacy organisation Global Citizen and the technical support of the International Energy Agency, launched a year-long campaign to mobilise public and private investments for renewable energy projects across Africa. In March 2025, President von der Leyen and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga agreed to align the campaign with 'Mission 300', an initiative of, the World Bank Group and African Development Bank aiming to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, including generation, transmission, distribution and clean cooking. What is the situation today? 600 millionpeople in Africa without access to electricity60%of the world’s best solar resources are in Africa70.8 GWAfrica’s current total installed renewable power capacity Support to Africa through Global Gateway The campaign builds on the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package, which supports Africa with €150 billion worth of investments. Global Gateway projects focus on accelerating the green and digital transition, creating sustainable growth and jobs, as well as supporting health systems and improving education and training.For instance, the 'Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative' aims at ensuring the deployment of at least 50 GW of new renewable electricity generation capacity and providing at least 100 million people in Africa with access to electricity, by 2030.The cooperation between the campaign and the 'Mission 300' builds upon successful cooperation between the European Commission and the World Bank Group in Africa.Joint projects include:Cameroon – Team Europe and the World Bank have been jointly supporting the construction of Nachtigal, a 420 MV hydropower plant and dam, which will increase the electricity supply in the country by 30%. It also supports a rural electrification aiming at improving the access to energy of more than 558 rural localities throughout the territory.Zambia and Zimbabwe – rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam to increase the reliability of supply and clean energy to both countries, providing 2,130 MV of power generation capacity, with the potential to produce over 10,000 GWh of clean, renewable energy annually.Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya – linking the Southern and Eastern Arica Power Pools through an interconnector, to enhance regional integration and foster economic development through electricity trade and bolster resistence. Latest In October 2025, President von der Leyen announced a €618 million package from Team Europe to support the "Scaling Up Renewables in Africa" campaign during her meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the Global Gateway Forum. This new financing aims to boost investment in renewable energy, create quality jobs and drive green industrialisation in countries like Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mauritania, Nigeria, Cabo Verde, Zambia, Tanzania and Togo.EU Member States are also contributing almost €12 billion to advance the EU-South Africa Just Energy Transition Partnership. Read more about the Global Gateway forum Latest news Press release9 October 2025President von der Leyen announces €618 million package to scale up renewables in Africa at Global Gateway Forum4 min readPress release27 September 2025European Commission announces €545 million package to scale up renewables in Africa3 min readPress release13 March 2025President von der Leyen in South Africa: launches talks on a new trade and investment deal, unveils €4.7 billion Global Gateway package2 min read General publications5 March 2025Factsheet: Commission and World Bank join forces to promote renewable energy in Africa Related links Global GatewayGlobal Citizen Now: Rio de JaneiroScaling Up Renewables in Africa
Africa holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources, offering a significant opportunity for renewable energy. Despite this, the continent attracts only 3% of global energy investment, and some 600 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, still lack access to electricity. In November 2024, the European Commission and the Republic of South Africa, together with international advocacy organisation Global Citizen and the technical support of the International Energy Agency, launched a year-long campaign to mobilise public and private investments for renewable energy projects across Africa. In March 2025, President von der Leyen and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga agreed to align the campaign with 'Mission 300', an initiative of, the World Bank Group and African Development Bank aiming to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, including generation, transmission, distribution and clean cooking.
Press release9 October 2025President von der Leyen announces €618 million package to scale up renewables in Africa at Global Gateway Forum4 min read
Press release27 September 2025European Commission announces €545 million package to scale up renewables in Africa3 min read
Press release13 March 2025President von der Leyen in South Africa: launches talks on a new trade and investment deal, unveils €4.7 billion Global Gateway package2 min read
