African Union Stc-T&e Energy Session Charts Bold Path From Policy to Action

20 May 2026
African Union (Addis Ababa)

During the AU Fifth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Transport and Energy (STC-T&E), held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 27-30 April 2026, the Energy Sector discussions reaffirmed Africa's commitment to accelerating continental energy integration, universal energy access, industrialization, and a sustainable energy transition under Agenda 2063.

Ministers and experts meeting under the Energy Parallel Session reviewed major continental energy programmes, policies, financing mechanisms, and institutional frameworks aimed at transforming Africa's energy landscape. The deliberations underscored Africa's strategic shift from policy development toward accelerated implementation, delivery, and investment mobilization across the continent's priority energy flagship initiatives.

The meeting noted significant progress in the implementation of the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), including the establishment of the Strategic Planning and Coordination Unit (SPCU), inauguration of the AfSEM High-Level Technical Oversight Committee (HTOC), convening of the first and second AfSEM Electricity Forums, regional regulatory readiness, institutional strengthening, and regional power market development. Ministers approved the operationalization of the AfSEM Digital Monitoring and Reporting Platform at the African Union Commission as the official continental mechanism for tracking electricity market development, regulatory harmonization, institutional capacity strengthening, and utility sector reforms. Member States were urged to accelerate utility sector reforms, strengthen governance and financial sustainability of national utilities, and integrate AfSEM and the Continental Power Systems Master Plan (CMP) into national energy policies and development plans.

The meeting reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Grand Inga Hydropower Development Project as a transformative continental flagship initiative with the potential to drive regional power integration, industrialization, and long-term energy security through large-scale clean energy generation. Ministers requested the African Union Commission to finalize the establishment of the Grand Inga Strategic Coordination Committee (GISCC).

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The STC also approved the Continental Energy Security Policy Framework and its recommendations, marking a major continental milestone toward strengthening Africa's resilience against growing energy supply disruptions, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and market instability. The meeting requested the African Union Commission, UNECA, AFREC, AUDA-NEPAD and Regional Economic Communities to support Member States in implementing the framework and advancing coordinated continental responses to energy security challenges.

Recognizing the increasing importance of emerging technologies in Africa's development agenda, the meeting approved the proposal to establish a Continental Policy Framework for the development of Nuclear Energy in Africa and requested AUC, AFREC and partners to develop a continental framework and action plan for deployment of nuclear energy to support energy access, energy security, industrialization, and other development priorities.

The meeting highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Digital-Energy Nexus as a high-impact pathway for simultaneously accelerating energy access and digital inclusion. Ministers requested the development of a continental policy framework and model legislation toolkit to maximize opportunities arising from integrated digital and energy infrastructure planning and investment

The STC approved the African Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan (ETSAP), providing Africa with a coordinated continental framework for pursuing a just, inclusive, and development-oriented energy transition aligned with Africa's common position on energy access and transition. The meeting also noted progress in the development of National Deep Decarbonization Pathways in several Member States and requested support for the development of regional just energy transition frameworks.

The meeting further reviewed progress made in the implementation of the Continental Power Systems Master Plan (CMP), the Africa Green Hydrogen Programme, Mission 300, and regional power integration initiatives. Ministers commended Member States for advancing green hydrogen development and recognized the hydrogen programme as a strategic opportunity to position Africa as a competitive player in emerging global green energy value chains while supporting sustainable industrial development.

The meeting approved major continental initiatives on clean cooking, energy efficiency, and energy infrastructure financing, including the G20 Clean Cooking Infrastructure Investment Action Plan, the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility (AfEEF), and the Africa Ten-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan (TYIIP) for Cross-Border Interconnectivity. Ministers also called for strengthened partnerships and resource mobilization to accelerate clean energy access, priority power projects, energy efficiency, and cleaner fuel standards across Africa.

In support of institutional strengthening and partnerships, Ministers welcomed the relocation of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) Secretariat from Bonn to Addis Ababa and approved the new AEEP governance structure. The meeting further welcomed progress in the implementation of the Continental Energy Programme for Africa (CEPA) and the ENGAGE Programme as strategic continental mechanisms supporting operationalization of AfSEM, CMP, renewable energy deployment, regional electricity markets, and energy transition priorities.

The energy session unanimously reaffirmed the central role of energy in driving Africa's industrialization, economic transformation, regional integration, climate resilience, and sustainable development, and concluded with a strong call for enhanced partnerships, coordinated implementation, strengthened institutions, and increased public and private sector investment to accelerate Africa's energy transition and achieve the continent's long-term energy security, sustainable development objectives, and coordinated implementation modalities for continental and regional energy flagship initiatives.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Sara Ibrahim Ahmed Elhag | Head of Energy Division | Directorate of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission | E-mail: ElhagS@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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