Africa and Europe Reinforce Energy Cooperation at the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting
On 21 May 2025, the African Union and European Union convened their 3rd Ministerial Meeting to evaluate progress on the Joint Vision for 2030, a roadmap for renewed partnership that was adopted at the AU-EU Summit in 2022. The meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two continents and emphasized mutual efforts in areas of shared interest, notably sustainable energy collaboration. Ministers welcomed the achievements made through the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package and reiterated their commitment to a prosperous and sustainable energy agenda aligned with AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) is honoured to have been explicitly recognised in the Joint Communiqué as a key platform supporting Africa’s energy transition. Our continued collaboration to expand off-grid energy solutions, support rural electrification, and our joint efforts with the African Development Bank, the World Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, and other partners were highlighted in the communiqué. It also recognised our broader role in strengthening policy frameworks and driving energy sector reforms across the continent. Ministers also welcomed progress on climate and energy infrastructure, including renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, through initiatives such as the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative, the Continental Energy Programme for Africa, and AU-led projects like AfSEM, CMP, AfEES, and GRMF—all vital to regional power trade, renewable investment, and inclusive green industrialisation and which the AEEP continues to support.
The meeting also underscored the need for stronger institutional and regulatory frameworks to support Africa’s energy transition. Emphasis was placed on expanding off-grid solutions, rural electrification, and clean energy access through joint actions such as the ‘Scaling up Renewables in Africa’ campaign and coordination with the African Development Bank and the World Bank’s M300 Initiative. Ministers called for scaled-up clean energy finance mechanisms including guarantees, blended finance, and green bonds, while prioritizing local manufacturing, technology transfer, and the empowerment of women and youth in energy enterprises. The joint commitment is to ensure a fair, just, and equitable energy transition for the continent.
The meeting further reinforced strategic collaboration in areas of climate resilience and sustainability. Ministers committed to scaling climate finance for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage, and acknowledged the importance of early warning systems, disaster risk management, and support for vulnerable communities. The ministers welcomed the convening of the 2nd Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa in September 2025 and the 1st Africa Biodiversity Summit in Botswana in October 2025 as platforms to further the shared climate and energy goals of both partners.
As the African Union and European Union prepare for the 7th AU-EU Summit, both parties have affirmed that sustainable, inclusive, and transformative energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of their long-term partnership.
Dive deeper into the outcomes — full communiqué available here: joint-communiqué-21052025.pdf
