AEEP Energy Talks Spotlight: Financing SDG7 in Africa – Africa-Europe collaboration in a changing geopolitical environment

The 22^nd AEEP Energy Talks on 26 February 2026 addressed the critical issue of financing the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), aiming to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. This session convened experts and panellists to examine the current financing landscape for SDG7 and discuss how financing dynamics are evolving in a shifting geopolitical context, including the role of Africa–Europe cooperation.

The webinar marked the launch of the fourth edition of the AEEP flagship report on ‘European financial flows to SDG7 in Africa’, followed by a presentation of the Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative (AEGEI), a Team Europe initiative under the Global Gateway Strategy constituting the framework for Europe’s engagement on clean energy access in Africa. 

The panel discussion featured insights from Yohannes Hailu, Economic Affairs Officer at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Arthur Minsat, Head of Unit for Africa and Middle East at the OECD Development Center, George Baffour Awuah, economist at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and Alba Le Cardinal, from the European Commission (DG INTPA).

The panel explored current gaps and misalignments in SDG7 financing, identified priority sectors and actions, and examined how financing needs can be met in a constrained and geopolitically complex environment. Particular attention was given to the role of the Africa–Europe partnership as a key pillar for advancing SDG7 financing in this evolving global context.