AEEP enters 2026 on a reflective note, where we look back at the developments, milestones, and the challenges of 2025 through the lens of our Steering Group (SG) members. In conversations with Philipp Knill, Deputy Director General Africa at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and General. Mohamed Ossama Eissa, Head of Central Administration for International Cooperation & Agreements with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the AEEP delves into questions of what are the key achievements?, what are the challenges that remain?, and what’s the way forward?.

The AEEP extends a warm welcome to Ms. Lerato D. Mataboge, who has been appointed as the new Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission (AUC). Her appointment signifies a pivotal moment for Africa as it continues to strive towards enhancing energy access, promoting renewable energy solutions, and strengthening energy infrastructure across the continent.

As every year, the conference will enable side events by different stakeholders to showcase initiatives, share knowledge and position crucial topics in the programme. We have collected some of the side events to keep an eye out for that will feature energy-related discussions relevant for Africa and Europe.

The Fourth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure, and Energy (STC-TTIIE) was held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from the 12th to 15th of September 2023. As the African continent looks towards the future, the development of an energy grid to provide electricity to every corner of the continent was at the forefront of this meeting.