The formation of the African Energy Efficiency Facility (AEEF), a legacy project of South Africa’s G20 presidency, was announced earlier this month by Electricity and Energy Deputy Minister Samantha Graham-Maré at the opening of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group side event.

The AEEF framework has been developed by the Department of Electricity and Energy and the African Energy Commission – a specialised agency of the African Union (AU) – in collaboration with the UN Environment United for Efficiency Programme. The framework also supports a continental market shift to producing higher-efficiency lighting products and appliances.

The framework aims to reduce electricity consumption, air pollution and greenhouse- gas emissions in Africa, as well as free up electricity for millions of new consumers and businesses.

It also endeavours to expedite the continent’s transition towards more efficient electrical products, thereby enabling African consumers to save over $175-billion by 2030.

A more rapid deployment of energy efficient lighting and appliances across the member States of the AU can be facilitated through the adoption of a common, strategic, harmonised and integrated policy framework implemented consistently across each country.

Programme Objectives

The AEEF programme aims to harmonise lighting and appliance standards and labelling across AU members, as well as support the development and implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and related policies at national level.

The programme will also facilitate capacity building for regional and national energy efficiency policymakers and organisations, as well as public and private stakeholders working across industries and in the trade of lighting, appliances and electrical equipment.

By fostering the attractiveness of energy- efficient products among final consumers and incentivising industry, importers and retailers to promote these products, its goals will be effectively achieved.

G20 and Beyond

“This announcement marks a pivotal moment in South Africa’s G20 presidency, which runs from December 2024 to November 2025, emphasising Africa’s role in global energy discussions,” said Graham-Maré.

The AEEF, scheduled for official launch in December 2025 during an AU meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aims to promote affordable and efficient power solutions in alignment with the AU’s Agenda 2063 – the continent’s strategic blueprint for socioeconomic transformation that envisions an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa by the year 2063.

“This AEEF initiative is not only a legacy project of our presidency but also a practical response to Africa’s energy and development challenges,” she added.

As a cornerstone of South Africa’s G20 energy agenda, the AEEF emphasises energy efficiency as a fundamental driver for enhancing affordability, helping facilitate universal access to energy, strengthening climate resilience and promoting inclusive growth.

The initiative will function as a platform for financing, technical assistance and capacity building to facilitate the deployment of innovative solutions, including efficient appliances and industrial upgrades.

This “internationally acclaimed” approach encompasses regionally harmonised standards and recommendations, implementation support to facilitate national and regional energy efficiency policy planning, the design of programmes, and the execution of projects incorporating lighting, cooling, heating and appliances.

AEEF aims to enable more strategic policymaking concerning energy and environmental sustainability.

In her address, Graham-Maré called on development partners and financial institutions to “walk with us”, by investing and sharing knowledge.

“We ask our private-sector actors to seize the opportunities in building markets, delivering technologies and creating jobs. And finally, our civil society and academia to help ensure accountability, inclusivity and innovation,” she concluded.