Africa is standing at a critical moment in its energy journey. As the continent strives toward the Pan-African vision of prosperity and peace, one truth has never been clearer: we cannot meet our development goals without transforming the energy supply system.
That is why the African Union Commission (AUC), through the African Energy Commission (AFREC), together with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy, is hosting the first-ever African Energy Efficiency Conference from 8 -11 December 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Convened under the umbrella of the African Energy Efficiency Alliance launched at COP 29 and endorsed by the African Heads of State and Government in February this year, the conference is a long-overdue milestone that should command the attention of every policymaker, investor, and citizen.
For decades, Africa’s energy conversation has been dominated by how to generate more power. Today, more than 70% of Africans live in energy poverty, while the continent’s energy demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Population growth, urbanisation, and expanding industries will only intensify the pressure. We cannot build our way out of this challenge through generation alone. Energy efficiency must therefore become our first fuel, the cheapest, quickest, and cleanest energy source available.
The numbers are glaring. Comparatively, for every unit of energy consumed, Africa produces only half the Gross Development Product (GDP) of advanced economies. This is not a mark of low potential but a sign of immense opportunity. Across our power systems, transport networks, industries, buildings, agriculture, and appliances, energy efficiency measures can unlock billions in savings, strengthen African economies, and cut carbon emissions while enabling universal access to modern energy.
If we consider simply one example under the appliances and equipment markets. By adopting and enforcing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), the continent could save more than 40 gigawatts of power by 2040, roughly 15% of Africa’s total installed generation capacity. These savings would prevent the construction of new power plants, thereby freeing scarce public resources for health, education, and other critical services. They also represent “negawatts” that could help bring electricity to the more than 600 million Africans projected to remain without access beyond 2030.
Several African countries are already proving what is possible. Over 18 nations have introduced MEPS for lighting, cooling, and other appliances. Ghana’s pioneering labelling programmes for refrigerators and lighting have saved hundreds of gigawatts of energy, while Ethiopia’s “Quality Village” initiative is raising the performance of locally manufactured products for both local and international markets. Regional blocs such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Eastern Africa Community (EAC) are harmonising standards with support from partners, a crucial step toward opening markets and supporting free trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
AFREC on the other hand is currently running a comprehensive programme to support Member States in implementing the harmonised MEPS while building human capacity across the continent.
The opportunities extend far beyond appliances. Africa’s building floor area is expected to more than double by 2050, which means building codes and incentives can deliver significant savings. Algeria, Tunisia, and South Africa are showing leadership in this space. Morocco and Ethiopia are pushing ahead promoting vehicular efficiency with electric mobility, while Kenya is enabling private investment in industrial efficiency through smart policy design. These are encouraging signs, but they remain fragmented and insufficient to deliver continent-wide impact.
That is why the establishment of the African Energy Efficiency Alliance, endorsed by African Heads of State and launched at COP29, is so important. The Alliance brings together not just AU Member States and organs but also global partners including CLASP, the International Energy Agency, Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), United National Environment Programme, and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). This kind of coalition, spanning across governments, development agencies, the private sector and civil society, is exactly what Africa needs to scale energy efficiency from scattered initiatives to systemic transformation.
The inaugural African Energy Efficiency Conference is more than an event; it is a clear statement that Africa is ready to make energy efficiency the foundation of its energy future. If we succeed, we will not only cut waste and emissions. We will strengthen economies, attract investment, and accelerate the creation of a continent-wide electricity market capable of powering Africa’s ambitions.
Energy efficiency is not an abstract technical fix. It is our first line of defense in addressing Africa’s energy crisis, and one of the smartest investments we can make for current and future generations.
Nickson Bukachi Ongeri is a Senior Policy Officer in Charge of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African Union (AU)
