The African Union (AU) will host the inaugural African Energy Efficiency Conference in Addis Ababa on December 10–11, 2025, marking a major milestone in continental development efforts. The event, co-hosted by the African Energy Commission (AFREC) and the Government of Ethiopia, will formally launch the African Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA) and convene high-level participants, including ministers from more than eight member states.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference ahead of the conference, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato D. Mataboge set the stage for the upcoming conference with a stark assessment of Africa’s power landscape. More than 600 million people remain without electricity, and nearly one billion rely on inefficient cooking methods. She highlighted energy efficiency as the continent’s most immediate and cost-effective lever, underlining that every unit of energy conserved translates into additional capacity and reinforces already fragile grids.

The challenge is significant. Approximately 40 percent of African utilities report system losses exceeding 20 percent, and reducing these losses could expand electricity access. Introducing minimum standards for six key appliance categories could save 175 terawatt-hours annually by 2040, equivalent to the output of more than 80 new 500 MW power stations, and reduce electricity costs by an estimated 20 billion US dollars.

The conference will also advance the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Roadmap (AfEES), a continental blueprint endorsed by heads of state. The roadmap aims to raise energy productivity by 50 percent by 2050 and 70 percent by 2063, decoupling growth from rising energy demand. Commissioner Mataboge called on development and financial partners, including the African Development Bank, OPEC Fund, the EU, UNIDO, and GIZ, to continue backing the alliance, mobilising resources, and unlocking private-sector investment.

Designed to strengthen grids, reduce losses, and improve reliability, the AfEES and the AEEA are expected to provide a platform for coordinated action, supporting both governments and private investors in making Africa’s electricity systems more efficient and resilient.