African Union energy ministers have approved a sweeping package of reforms aimed at accelerating continental energy integration, strengthening energy security, and fast-tracking Africa’s transition from policy design to implementation.
Meeting at the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Transport and Energy in Johannesburg, ministers reaffirmed their commitment under Agenda 2063 to expand access to reliable and affordable energy, drive industrial growth, and build a more resilient and interconnected power system across the continent.
Key outcomes include the operationalization of the African Single Electricity Market digital monitoring platform to track market development and reforms, and renewed efforts to deepen regional power trade through the Continental Power Systems Master Plan.
Ministers also adopted a Continental Energy Security Policy Framework to address supply disruptions and infrastructure vulnerabilities, alongside the African Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan to guide a just and inclusive shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The meeting further advanced proposals for a continental nuclear energy framework, expanded green hydrogen development, clean cooking initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and new financing mechanisms for cross-border infrastructure.
Leaders called for stronger institutional coordination, regulatory reforms, and increased public and private investment to turn Africa’s energy ambitions into concrete projects, reinforcing energy as a central driver of industrialization, integration, and long-term sustainable developmen