By Abbas Nazil
The European Union has announced a €7 billion pledge to expand renewable energy generation and improve electricity access across Africa, a continent where nearly 600 million people still live without power.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed the commitment during a Global Citizen event in Johannesburg, emphasizing that the funding forms a major boost to the EU’s Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign.
The new pledge raises the initiative’s total commitments to €15.5 billion, with the EU and its member states contributing all but €400 million of the amount.
According to von der Leyen, the investment is intended to “turbo-charge Africa’s clean-energy transition” and ensure millions of households and businesses gain sustainable access to electricity.
She said the EU aims to become Africa’s “partner of choice” in renewable-energy development, noting that improved electrification is essential for economic stability, climate resilience and poverty reduction.
The announcement came ahead of the G20 leaders’ meeting in Johannesburg, where global development and climate strategy remain central topics.
The pledge aligns with growing international momentum toward large-scale electrification on the continent.
In parallel, the World Bank and African Development Bank are jointly advancing the Mission 300 program, which targets delivering electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030 through tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure investment.
Von der Leyen and World Bank President Ajay Banga recently agreed to synchronize both initiatives, allowing coordinated planning, financing efficiency and expanded project coverage.
Italy and Germany are the largest EU contributors to the renewable-energy campaign, providing €2.4 billion and €2 billion respectively.
The EU expects the combined funding to support renewable-power installations, grid expansion and energy-access programs across multiple African countries, many of which continue to prioritize solar, wind and hydropower development.
The commitment underscores Europe’s broader geopolitical aim of strengthening partnerships with African nations while supporting global climate goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
