AEEP: Partnering for an African energy transition

The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) was launched by African and European Heads of State in 2007 at the AU-EU Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. A central partnership of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, the AEEP is the key political platform through which both continents work together on energy. The overall aim of the AEEP is to facilitate the achievement of universal access to affordable, sustainable and modern energy services in Africa, including in rural areas, as a necessity and as a pre-requisite to generating inclusive development and jobs.

“Africa is the European Union’s natural partner and neighbour. Together we can build a more prosperous, more peaceful and more sustainable future for all.”

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
“Europe is one of our most important and oldest partners and we highly value the partnership we have had, in particular in energy.”

H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy
“As we know, access to electricity in African countries is very low. The AEEP can be a tool to liaise between African countries and the EU on this challenge, and Egypt can be a bridge for that.”

Dr. Mohamed Moussa Omran, First Undersecretary for Research Planning & Authorities’ Follow-up, Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy
“One of the most important tasks of this Partnership is to promote energy access and to coordinate the different initiatives working on this challenge.”

Cheikh Bedda, Director of Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission
“Peace and security have to be reached through the creation of conditions, implying also the access to energy. In this sense having the opportunity to work with the AEEP is part of a larger strategy of pursuing peace and security in Africa.”

H.E. Ambassador Sergio Mercuri, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
“There is a rich synergy in the joint pursuance of energy sustainability for Africa and Europe and the AEEP is the perfect vehicle with which to do so.”

Johan van den Berg, Head of the AEEP Secretariat

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NEWS

African-European Joint Action for Financing Energy Highlighted at the 8th PIDA Week

On 27 November 2025 the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) hosted a discussion on “Advancing Africa’s Energy Future – AU-EU collaboration for accelerated financing”. The discussion was hosted during the 8th Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week on 25-28 November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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PUBLICATION

European Financial Flows on SDG7 to Africa – Third Edition

The third report on ‘European financial flows on SDG7 to Africa’, commissioned by the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP), shows that current investments towards the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) in Africa have led to notable progress, but larger efforts will be required to reach universal clean energy access on the continent.

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january, 2025

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