Europe’s Energy Security and Africa’s Green Industrialisation in the Limelight at EUSEW 2026
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2026) will take place in Brussels on 9-11 June 2026 under the theme “A clean, secure and competitive Energy Union.” As the flagship event for European energy policy, it offers a critical platform to influence the narrative of Africa-EU cooperation.
The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) Secretariat and European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) will co-organise a session on “How Europe’s Energy Security is intertwined with Africa’s Green Industrialisation” on Thursday 11 June at 9:30 CET in the Charlemagne building, De Gasperi room.
The narrative of interlinked fates between Africa and Europe continues to resound and EUSEW 2026 is the perfect backdrop to hold a policy debate that addresses the commonality of energy security between the two continents. In the current geopolitical climate, Africa’s industrialisation and energy security is instrumental for achieving a secure and competitive European Union. Europe’s ambition for a competitive, decarbonised economy relies on diversifying supply chains and securing green molecules and electrons. At the same time, Africa seeks to utilise its abundant natural resources, including critical minerals and renewable energy, to further its industrialisation, with a focus on green industrialisation.
Tackling the EUSEW theme of “Decarbonisation framework in the EU and globally” the policy debate aims to position the EU’s Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative (AEGEI) not just as a support mechanism, but as a central pillar of mutual economic security underpinned by concrete mechanisms for project implementation and collaboration going forward.
The policy debate aims to move beyond standard panel formats and address the hard truths of our shared energy future through an interactive debate that seeks to show that the “competitiveness” of the European Energy Union is intertwined with the “industrialisation” of Africa’s energy sector. The expert panel will feature:Alfonso Medinilla, The European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)Kudakwashe Manjonjo, Just Transition Advisor, Power Shift AfricaGihan Bayoumi Attia, Deputy UNIDO Representative of the UNIDO Sub-Regional Hub, EgyptDr Maged Mahmoud,Technical Director, Lead Renewable Energy Advisor, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)
Through audience interaction and high-level AU and EU reactions to the expert statements the session is designed to encourage honest reflection, accountability and policy-relevant outcomes for a stronger Africa-Europe energy partnership.
Full programme and registration: Homepage – European Commission
