KEY POINTS
- African Union launches AfEES and AEEA during COP29.
- AfEES targets a 50% energy productivity boost by 2050.
- AEEA fosters collaboration, financing, and energy research.
African Union has unveiled two pivotal initiatives aimed at addressing the continent’s energy challenges: the African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES) and the African Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA).
Launched during COP29, the initiatives mark a significant step forward in closing Africa’s enduring energy access gap and improving energy efficiency.
Strategic blueprint for energy transformation
The AfEES is a comprehensive framework designed to weave energy efficiency into key sectors, including power generation, agriculture, construction, transportation, and clean cooking. Its goal is to bolster energy productivity across these areas, aiming for a 50% increase by 2050 and 70% by 2063, aligning with global targets for energy efficiency.
In tandem with AfEES, the AEEA is set to serve as a collaborative platform, bringing together governments, private sector players, development agencies, and research bodies. The alliance’s primary objective is to facilitate knowledge exchange, drive forward research on energy efficiency, and ease access to financing for energy efficiency projects across the continent.
Building Africa’s energy future
According to EnergyCapitalPower, Amani Abou-Zeid, the AU’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, emphasized the strategic vision behind these initiatives: “We are mobilizing key stakeholders to implement the AfEES and its Action Plan. This strategy is crucial for improving Africa’s energy productivity, aligning with the global push to double energy efficiency by 2030.”
By advancing these ambitious strategies, the AU is not only positioning Africa to meet future energy demands but is also reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development. The AfEES and AEEA are poised to reshape Africa’s energy landscape, driving both sector-wide transformation and global collaboration.
