European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen committed 7 billion euros toward accelerating renewable electricity infrastructure throughout Africa during a Global Citizen event in Johannesburg. The contribution raises total campaign pledges since late 2024 to 15.5 billion euros, supporting approximately 27 gigawatts of generation capacity that could supply power to 17.5 million households while doubling continental renewable output.
Von der Leyen emphasized partnerships addressing energy poverty affecting more than 600 million people lacking reliable grid access, despite the region controlling 60 percent of global premium solar resources, yet attracting just 2 percent of clean energy investment. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the financing while stressing implementation priorities.
Global Citizen chief Hugh Evans characterized the pledges as representing one-sixth of the required funding for meeting 2030 climate and electricity objectives through solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower development across the continent.
Von der Leyen emphasized partnerships addressing energy poverty affecting more than 600 million people lacking reliable grid access, despite the region controlling 60 percent of global premium solar resources, yet attracting just 2 percent of clean energy investment. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the financing while stressing implementation priorities.
Global Citizen chief Hugh Evans characterized the pledges as representing one-sixth of the required funding for meeting 2030 climate and electricity objectives through solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower development across the continent.
