Significant Donor Pledges Announced for Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa at Africa Energy Summit
A new wave of financial commitments has been unveiled in support of the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) on the margins of the Africa Energy Summit. Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France have announced new or increased contributions to the African Development Bank (AfDB)-managed fund, furthering efforts to expand energy access across Africa under the ambitious Mission 300 initiative.
The Mission 300 partnership, spearheaded by the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group, and other development organizations, aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. Japan also joined SEFA as a new donor in December 2024, pledging $5 million under the Africa Green Infrastructure Alliance (AGIA).
France has pledged €10 million to support AGIA’s green infrastructure projects, while Denmark committed DKK 100 million (€13.4 million) for the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA).
The United Kingdom has pledged £8.5 million (€10.13 million) to mobilize private sector investment in clean energy, and Spain has contributed €3 million to reinforce renewable energy development efforts.
The latest contributions follow SEFA’s record-breaking year in 2024, during which it approved $108 million for 14 projects, bringing its total portfolio to over $300 million. These investments are projected to unlock $15 billion in additional funding and facilitate 12 million new electricity connections across Africa.
Speaking at the announcement, Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the AfDB, emphasized SEFA’s critical role in delivering on Mission 300. “These new commitments highlight the strong confidence in SEFA’s ability to drive impactful investments and ensure Africa’s sustainable energy future.”
Government representatives also reinforced their commitment to Africa’s green energy transition. Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate, stressed the importance of clean energy in achieving economic growth and climate goals, while France’s Bertrand Dumont, Director General of the French Treasury, reaffirmed his country’s dedication to Africa’s low-carbon transition.
