(Business in Cameroon) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on September 27, 2025, during the Global Citizen Festival held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, that Team Europe will mobilize CFA357.4 billion to support Africa’s clean energy transition.
“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 European Union, with the Global Gateway investment plan, is fully committed to supporting Africa on its clean energy path,” von der Leyen said.
Cameroon is one of the main beneficiaries. The country will receive CFA38.7 billion for a large-scale rural electrification project covering 687 localities and providing electricity to more than 2.5 million people. The initiative is expected to boost socio-economic development in rural areas and reduce inequality in energy access.
Other African countries will also receive support. In Côte d’Ivoire, CFA235.7 billion will finance the “Dorsale Est” high-voltage transmission line to strengthen regional power distribution. Lesotho will get CFA17 billion to tap its wind and hydropower potential, while Madagascar will receive CFA21.8 billion for rural electrification through mini-grids. The European Commission noted that Africa’s renewable energy potential is immense, but nearly 600 million people still live without electricity.
The program is part of a global push to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, in line with COP28 targets.
According to the World Bank, access to energy remains a major challenge in Cameroon. Despite significant government subsidies and vast hydropower potential, only 71% of the population has electricity access, and tariffs remain among the highest in the region. In rural areas, 75% of residents remain without power, even though many live near the grid.
