he European Union (EU) has pledged €545 million ($638 million) in funding to support clean energy initiatives across nine African countries, aiming to accelerate the continent's energy transition and expand access to renewable electricity.

The funding package will support projects in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Somalia. These initiatives focus on improving regional power infrastructure, rural electrification, and the development of solar, wind, and hydropower.

The largest share, €359.4 million, will fund a high-voltage energy initiative in Côte d'Ivoire. Other notable allocations include €59.1 million for rural electrification in Cameroon and €45.5 million to expand affordable renewable energy in Somalia. Smaller-scale projects in Ghana, Mozambique, and Lesotho will lay the groundwork for solar and hydro power developments.

Announcing the package at the Global Citizen Festival, held alongside the UN General Assembly, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said:

"The choices Africa makes today are shaping the future of the entire world. A clean energy transition on the continent will create jobs, stability, growth, and the delivery of our global climate goals."

The investment aligns with the EU's Global Gateway strategy and is expected to support Africa in creating up to 38 million green jobs by 2030, while helping to provide access to electricity for the 600 million Africans currently without it.