Energy access:
A key priority for Africa’s development objectives
Energising change
EnDev is evolving to better respond to Africa’s diverse energy contexts, with African priorities at the centre of its future direction.
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Energy access is a strategic pillar of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and a fundamental prerequisite for achieving its overarching objectives, including industrialisation, economic transformation, regional integration, private sector development, and improved quality of life. Accelerating energy access and the transition to sustainable energy is therefore critical to achieving Africa’s development ambitions as well as SDG 7 – universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
The partnership
Energising Development (EnDev) is a multi-donor partnership between the African Union Commission, Germany, Norway and Switzerland, aimed at expanding sustainable energy access across Africa.
Vision and Mission
Building on more than 20 years of experience in market-based approaches to electrification and clean cooking, EnDev works to improve livelihoods by expanding access to sustainable energy for households, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and social institutions, while strengthening domestic energy markets.
EnDev applies a holistic market systems approach, including productive use of energy (PUE) as well as a strong focus on underserved populations, women, youth, and Leave No One Behind (LNOB) groups.
Building on results, growing for greater impact
EnDev builds on more than 20 years of delivering sustainable energy access across Africa. Over the past 20 years, EnDev has enabled access to modern energy for more than 36 million people worldwide – over 27 million of them in Africa.
Its strategic evolution will extend this impact to even more people, businesses and institutions. The partners have a shared ambition to grow the EnDev portfolio over the coming years.
Expected additional results until 11/2027
Access to modern energy
people
social institutions
micro, small, and medium-sizes enterprises
Africa has set clear priorities for expanding energy access and accelerating its energy transition. Our priority now is to turn these ambitions into tangible results for our Member States. With EnDev we translate continental priorities into practical solutions and action on the ground.
Kamugisha Kazaura
Director Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission
As Africa's energy transition gathers pace, there is a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards universal access to sustainable energy. Germany and Europe are reaffirming their commitment to the EnDev partnership. Together with the African Union, African Countries like Kenia, Malawi, Senegal and the private sector in Africa and Europe. It is about productive use of renewable energy, new business models and technology development, reaching those people without reliable access to energy directly and also via the smart electrification of education and health infrastructure. Together, we are supporting an energy transition that is driven by Africa's priorities, designed with and for African people and builds on a strong collaboration of African and European partners.
Philipp Knill
Commissioner for Africa, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Energy poverty holds back everything else, especially health, education and jobs. Switzerland invests in EnDev because it leaves no one behind. It builds markets designed to include those not reached by private investment: remote communities, small businesses and displaced populations. Working with the African Union Commission ensures these efforts are led by Africa's own agenda, making it development cooperation as it should be: locally-led, inclusive and built to last.
Mirjam Macchi Howell
Head of Climate, DRR & Environment Section, Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation
The EnDev Partnership is entering a new chapter — an evolution grounded in strategic alignment with the African Union and our partners across the continent. As energy access markets gain momentum, our task is to catalyse this growth so the private sector flourishes. Our approach is partner-led, market-driven, and impact-focused: aligning with African priorities, unlocking market potential, strengthening local businesses, and bringing affordable, reliable energy to people faster. EnDev goes further — together.
Barbara Richard
Progamme Director EnDev, GIZ
Building on results, growing for greater impact
Country-level approaches are tailored to the specific contexts to reflect the priorities of African Union Member States, their national energy strategies, and local market conditions.
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Senegal
Tanzania
Uganda
Kenya
Advancing higher-tier cooking solutions and electricity for productive use.
Malawi
Professionalising the improved cookstove sector and expanding access to electricity for productive use.
Mozambique
Building a pipeline for large-scale clean cooking programmes with a focus on LNOB and advancing PAYGO solar solutions.
Senegal
Scaling of successful productive use approaches such as clean cooking with improved fish-smoking practices, and solar energy solutions for LNOB groups.
Tanzania
Supporting the scale-up of higher-tier cooking solutions.
Uganda
Professionalising clean cooking businesses and supporting higher-tier cooking solutions, while expanding electricity access for underserved households and productive use.
News
EnDev partnership renewed: Turning Africa’s energy priorities into action
28 September 2026 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia On 28 September, the African Union Commission (AUC), Germany, Switzerland and Norway came together at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa to …