The European Union (EU) has announced a €545m ($638m) package for Africa to support electrification, modernise power grids, expand access to renewable energy,and accelerate the continent’s clean-energy transition.

The funding will back projects in nine countries, targeting regional power infrastructure and rural access to clean electricity.

The programme spans Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo (Congo), Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique and Somalia.

Six hundred million people in Africa still live without access to electricity. Renewables investment is expected to create up to 38 million green jobsacross the continent by 2030.

In Côte d’Ivoire, €359.4m will finance a high-voltage power initiative to boost regional energy distribution. Cameroon will receive €59.1m for rural electrification, while €45.5m in Somalia will increase access to affordable renewable energy. The Republic of Congo will receive €3.5m to expand access to renewable sources, including solar, wind and hydropower.

Lesotho’s Renewable Lesotho programme will be supported with €25.9m to unlock wind and hydro energy. Ghana will receive €2m to lay the groundwork for a large-scale solar park and regional energy trade. Madagascar will see €33.2m to expand electrification with mini grids in rural areas, and Mozambique will receive €13m to support a low-emission energy transition and encourage private sector involvement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the package via video message at the Global Citizen Festival, held alongside the UN General Assembly.

Von der Leyen stated: “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.”