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EU proposes a stronger partnership with Africa including measures for the energy sector
29 of May 2017
EU proposes a stronger partnership with Africa including measures for the energy sector

The European Commission and the High Representative / Vice-President presented on May 4 a revitalised framework for joint action, to build a stronger strategic partnership between Europe and Africa for more prosperity and stability in the two continents. The Communication presents innovative proposals in a number of key areas – such as peace and security, migration, job creation or energy – based on priorities defined by African countries and stepping up the existing fruitful cooperation between the two continents. 


Highlights for the energy sector:


Energise Africa


Achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy in Africa, including in rural areas, is also an opportunity for generating inclusive development and jobs for both continents, aligned with the climate challenge. It is in the shared interest to enhance cooperation based on the common values of clean energy transition that the EU champions and leads globally.


Flagships in support of the Africa-EU Partnership:

 

  • Deliver the EU's contribution to the AREI objectives and reach 5 GW of renewable energy generation capacity by 2020 while bringing access to sustainable energy to 30 million people in Africa and saving 11 million tons of CO2 per year;
  • Launch an initiative to facilitate EU and African public-private cooperation on increased investment in Africa's sustainable energy sector via a high-level platform to improve the investment climate and de-risk private investment, and facilitate knowledge-sharing on innovative business and financing models and best practice on public finance leveraging.
  • Launch a new EU-Africa Research and Innovation Partnership on climate change and sustainable energy focusing on deployment as well as capacity building in energy efficiency and renewables, and on climate services. 


This comes ahead of the 5th Africa-EU Summit scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on 28-29 November 2017, which will put a specific focus on youth.


For more information read the full document Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council for a new impetus of the Africa-EU Partnership