Transforming Africa's Energy Landscape
Africa is in desperate need of energy. Nearly 600 million Africans—about half the continent's population—lack access to electricity. This gap stems largely from inadequate distribution networks, making Africa home to the majority of individuals worldwide without reliable electricity. Yet, the European Union (EU) seeks to alter this grim narrative.
At the close of September, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, announced a significant €545 million ($636 million) investment package aimed at fostering renewable energy and electrification across Africa. The EU's ambitious plans encompass several key projects:
- A high-voltage transmission line in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The electrification of rural communities in Cameroon.
- Harnessing wind and hydro energy in Lesotho.
- Establishing mini-grids in remote areas of Madagascar.
These initiatives are not merely about enhancing electricity access; they also represent a pivotal shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources across the continent.
A Clean Energy Transition
“A clean energy transition on the continent will create jobs, stability, growth, and help achieve our global climate goals,” Von der Leyen asserted during the announcement. The EU estimates that this investment program could generate approximately 38 million green jobs in Africa by 2030.
The Global Gateway initiative is central to these endeavors, designed not only for humanitarian benefits but also as a potent geopolitical strategy to position Europe as a counterweight to China's expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Geopolitics of Energy
Launched in 2013, China's Belt and Road Initiative has seen over $1.3 trillion poured into infrastructure projects—roads, ports, and energy—across more than a hundred countries globally. This expansive narrative has allowed China to project power and build political influence while entwining nations economically with its own.
By contrast, the EU's Global Gateway, launched in 2021, is Europe's response to secure its influence in regions vital to its interests. Africa has vast reserves of critical minerals essential for technology and the green energy transition: minerals like cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lithium in Zimbabwe, and copper in Zambia. China has positioned itself as a dominant player in these domains through aggressive investments and partnerships.
A Challenging Rivalry
As Gabriele Rosana, an associate fellow at the Institute of International Affairs in Rome, puts it, “From the outset, the Global Gateway has been described as the EU's attempt to rival the Belt and Road Initiative.” However, the projected €300 billion for investments through 2027 feels like a David-versus-Goliath battle. China's prior investments have paved the way for accelerated clean energy deployment across Africa, aided by fewer constraints compared to the EU's regulatory framework.
A recent study highlighted that energy-related contracts under the BRI in Africa reached $39 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting the highest value since the initiative commenced. Additionally, a report from Ember indicated a 60% rise in solar panel exports from China to Africa within a year, underscoring Beijing's aggressive positioning for the continent's green transition.
Strategic Autonomy in Europe
Recognizing the imperative to respond, the EU has gradually embraced the concept of competitiveness, refocusing efforts on defense and strategic autonomy. These directives aim to reshuffle trade balances in light of the evolving dynamics with the U.S.-China rivalry.
The EU is not alone in this mission; the U.S. government has also launched initiatives like the Build Back Better World, now part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), which outlines projects targeted at energy investments in Africa, including solar power advancements in Angola and wind energy systems in Kenya.
The Lobito Corridor: A Key Project
Among the pivotal infrastructure ventures being pursued is the newly proposed Lobito Corridor, a railway intended to connect Zambia and the DRC's mineral wealth to Angolan ports. This strategic connection underscores an economic shift driven predominantly by the needs of green energy transitions.
As superpowers vie for access to Africa's resources, the continent's strategic decisions will dictate future global energy markets. “The choices Africa makes today,” Von der Leyen warned, “are shaping the future of the entire world.”
The Road Ahead
In essence, the EU's $600 billion commitment marks a vital step towards transforming Africa's energy landscape, driving a clean energy transition that supports both local communities and global climate objectives. Yet it also serves as a reminder of the complex interplay of geopolitics, where the benefits of progress in clean energy must be weighed against the backdrop of competition, influence, and the human cost associated with energy access disparities.
This story originally appeared on WIRED Italia and has been translated from Italian.
Source reference: https://www.wired.com/story/europe-pledges-dollar600-billion-for-clean-energy-projects-in-africa/
