24th AEEP Energy Talks: Financing energy efficiency in Africa – capitalising on the continent’s first fuel

16 September 2026, 11:00–13:00 (CEST) | 12:00–14:00 (EAT)

The 24th AEEP Energy Talks on 16 September 2026 will explore how financing for energy efficiency can be scaled up across Africa. Organised jointly by the Africa-EU Energy Partnership, the African Energy Commission and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, the webinar will bring together policymakers, financiers, development partners and private sector actors from Africa and Europe to discuss practical solutions for mobilising investment in energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of Africa’s energy transition. With the continent’s population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and built floor area set to double, reducing energy demand through efficiency measures will be critical to lowering costs, cutting emissions and improving energy access. The African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan reflects this ambition, setting targets to increase energy productivity by 50% by 2050 and 70% by 2063, while contributing to the global pledge to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

However, investment in energy efficiency remains far below what is needed. Although Africa accounts for around 20% of the global population, it attracts only around 3% of global energy investment, with only a fraction directed towards energy efficiency programmes. Reaching the continent’s energy efficiency targets will therefore require financing at scale, supported by innovative financing instruments, risk-mitigation mechanisms, bankable project pipelines and business models capable of attracting both public and private capital.

A central focus of the discussion will be the African Energy Efficiency Facility, the first dedicated continental financing mechanism designed to support energy efficiency initiatives across Africa. The facility aims to mobilise at least USD 3 billion for energy efficiency by 2030 and USD 10 billion by 2040. The Energy Talks will examine how the facility can respond to existing financing gaps, complement national and regional initiatives, and draw lessons from European funds, guarantee facilities and other financing mechanisms.

The webinar will also examine the role of Energy Service Companies and innovative business models in unlocking investment. Initiatives such as the African Development Bank’s Africa Super ESCO Acceleration Program provide important lessons on how Energy Service Company models can be developed and scaled in African markets. Discussions will consider the barriers currently limiting their growth, the financing mechanisms and enabling environments needed to support them, and how the African Energy Efficiency Facility could help accelerate their development.

Through a keynote presentation and two panel discussions, the 24th AEEP Energy Talks will provide a platform to exchange experiences from Africa and Europe, identify practical financing solutions and strengthen partnerships among governments, development finance institutions, financial institutions and private sector actors. The session will also explore how stronger Africa-Europe cooperation can help mobilise the public and private capital needed to turn Africa’s energy efficiency ambitions into investable projects and tangible results.