Africa takes major step toward energy integration at AfSEM-CMP-AfEES workshop in Addis Ababa

Dar es Salaam. The African Union Commission (AUC) successfully concluded the AfSEM-CMP-AfEES Hybrid Stakeholders Validation Workshop, held from 4 to 6 September 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This pivotal event marked a significant milestone in Africa's journey toward energy integration and sustainability, moving the continent closer to realizing a unified and efficient electricity market.

The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Power Pools, Regional Regulators, the African Power Utilities Association (APUA), the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR), and international partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Energy Commission (AFREC).

These participants played a critical role in shaping discussions to ensure that Africa’s Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP), and the Africa Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES) align with the continent’s ambitious energy goals.

The workshop marked the final stage of developing key frameworks that will drive Africa's energy transition. The AfSEM-CMP-AfEES initiatives represent a major effort to integrate, harmonize, and improve the continent's energy infrastructure and regulations.

Key achievements include:

Guidelines towards the operationalization of AfSEM: These guidelines outline the path to making AfSEM a reality, integrating more than 55 countries into a single electricity market by 2040.

AfSEM Communication Strategy: This strategy will raise awareness and promote cooperation across sectors, ensuring that stakeholders understand the goals and benefits of a unified market.

Revised Strategy and Action Plan for a Harmonized Electricity Market in Africa: The updated action plan details how the continent will move toward full integration.

Monitoring and Evaluation Baseline Reports: These reports will help track progress and ensure transparency and Policies and project mapping: This provides a clear view of key projects and their role in the continental energy strategy.

Additionally, under the CMP framework, innovative concepts such as the Hybrid Demand Forecasting Concept and Generation and Transmission Priority Projects were introduced, laying the foundation for coordinated power generation and distribution across the continent.

The AfEES sectoral action plans for critical sectors like buildings, industry, agriculture, transport, and clean cooking also underwent thorough internal consultations, ensuring that Africa’s energy efficiency strategies target the areas with the most potential for impact.

The primary goal of the workshop was to present, consult, and validate these key deliverables. During plenary sessions held on 6 September, stakeholders approved and validated the AfSEM, CMP, and AfEES frameworks, ensuring that they are ready for submission to the African Union’s policy organs for consideration and adoption.

The validation of these strategies signals a monumental step toward achieving a harmonized electricity market, an efficient energy strategy, and an integrated power system master plan for Africa.

These advancements are crucial for enhancing the continent’s energy security, promoting economic growth, and aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063—the blueprint for a prosperous and sustainable Africa.

The AfSEM-CMP-AfEES workshop underscored the importance of continued dialogue among African stakeholders. These conversations foster policy harmonization, energy efficiency, and innovation, all of which are essential to meeting Africa's growing energy needs.

Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, with demand for electricity set to increase dramatically. Collaborative efforts, such as this workshop, help ensure that Africa can meet its energy demands while contributing to inclusive and resilient economic growth.

The African Union Commission extended its gratitude to all participants and partners, including the AfDB, AFUR, and AFREC, whose contributions were instrumental in achieving these milestones.

With the validation of the AfSEM, CMP, and AfEES deliverables, Africa is now one step closer to creating a sustainable, efficient, and integrated energy future. These efforts will unlock new opportunities for economic development, improve access to reliable electricity for millions, and make clean energy a cornerstone of the continent’s growth.

The AUC looks forward to the next phase of implementing these strategies, which will help transform Africa’s energy landscape and deliver on the promises of Agenda 2063.