RIO DE JANEIRO — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign yesterday, just before the G20 Summit kicks off in Brazil.
According to a press statement released by the EU, the initiative, announced during the Global Citizen NOW event, aims to harness Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and secure significant investments to expand the continent’s clean energy capacity.
The campaign aligns with the ambitious targets set during last year’s COP28 summit in Dubai, where global leaders committed to tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency worldwide by the end of the decade. This new effort, championed by Europe and South Africa, focuses specifically on Africa — a continent with 60% of the world’s top solar resources but currently receiving only 3% of global energy investment.
“Africa’s clean energy journey is picking up speed. We are proud to be part of it,” said President von der Leyen.
“Europe has been investing massively in renewable energy projects in Africa with Global Gateway. Now we are calling on the world to join us. I’m happy to co-host the campaign Scaling up Renewables in Africa with President Ramaphosa. Together, we will help bring clean, affordable power to Africa.”
The campaign is being organized in partnership with Global Citizen, an international advocacy group, and will be supported by policy guidance from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Its goal is to drive fresh commitments from governments, financial institutions, private companies, and philanthropic organizations to finance Africa’s green energy projects.
To sustain momentum toward the global renewable energy goals, President von der Leyen announced the creation of a new Global Energy Transition Forum. This platform will bring together leaders from the G20 and beyond, international organizations, and key financial actors to accelerate the shift towards clean energy.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative.
“Africa has enormous potential and the necessary resources to lead a revolution in renewable energy,” he said.
“A mass roll-out of renewable energy across our continent would enable many countries to propel their economies along a clean energy development path. We welcome this initiative, which, if undertaken in a just and inclusive manner, could have a huge impact on the lives of Africa’s people.”
Despite Africa’s vast solar and wind resources, investment in renewables has been hampered by high capital costs, limited infrastructure, and supply chain obstacles. Addressing these challenges is crucial as the continent’s population is set to double by 2050, and millions still lack access to reliable electricity. Currently, 675 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are without power, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and affordable energy solutions.
The “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign builds on the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package, which includes €150 billion in funding for joint projects aimed at green and digital transformation, healthcare, education, and sustainable development. The package also aims to attract substantial private sector investment to support Africa’s energy transition.
Von der Leyen underscored the campaign’s inclusive and cooperative approach.
“We are calling on the global community to contribute — from policy shifts to financial commitments,” she said.
“This is not just about Africa; it’s about achieving our global climate goals. By working together, we can bring renewable energy to millions and foster sustainable development.”
The campaign will culminate at the G20 Summit in South Africa in November 2025, where new pledges on financing and policy support will be announced. The leaders emphasized that success depends on international cooperation and sustained investment, urging all sectors to contribute to Africa’s renewable energy future.
