UNIDO EELA Programme Aligns with African Energy Efficiency Alliance

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), through its Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods (EELA) Programme, announces its membership in the African Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA).

The Alliance was launched at COP29 by the African Energy Commission (AFREC) and operationalized during the inaugural African Energy Efficiency Conference. AEEA is conceived as a collaborative platform bringing together the diverse actors shaping Africa’s energy efficiency ecosystem. From regional energy centres and national governments to development partners, NGOs, research institutions and private sector stakeholders, AEEA aims to align and scale efforts to accelerate energy efficiency across the continent.

Often referred to as Africa’s “first fuel,” energy efficiency is gaining traction as one of the most effective solutions to address pressing challenges such as energy access gaps and rapidly growing demand, which is projected to double by 2040.

Beyond its contribution to decarbonization and energy security, energy efficiency represents a powerful lever for green growth and enhanced competitiveness at both national and regional levels. Lower energy intensity frees up economic resources that can be redirected toward productive investments. According to AFREC’s savings assessment report, African countries could save up to 175 TWh by 2040, equivalent to more than 80 new 500 MW power plants, through appliance market transformation initiatives targeting lighting, cooling appliances, motors and transformers.

The Alliance builds on the Africa Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (AfEES), which sets ambitious targets of a 50 percent increase in energy productivity by 2050 and 70 percent by 2063. To support these goals, AEEA acts as a central hub for knowledge exchange and coordination, supporting research and development, enabling technology transfer, catalysing financing opportunities and promoting advocacy and awareness. By harmonizing policies and actions, AEEA is expected to unlock synergies, improve cost efficiencies and pave the way for new investments that advance green industrialization and inclusive, sustainable development.

UNIDO brings decades of experience in industrial energy efficiency, demonstrated through tangible results in the region and worldwide. Drawing on this expertise, the EELA Programme, funded by the Government of Sweden, addresses systemic barriers to the adoption of energy efficient solutions through four interconnected pillars: policy frameworks, economic drivers, market incentives and awareness raising.

The earlier Energy Efficiency Lighting and Appliances (EELA) Project, which shares the EELA acronym but represents a distinct, earlier initiative from which the flagship EELA Programme emerges, provides a concrete example of this approach. Its achievements include the harmonization of Minimum Energy Performance Standards for lighting and cooling across East and Southern Africa, working closely with the Regional Centres for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, SACREEE and EACREEE. This integrated approach also enables the establishment and strengthening of testing facilities, the training of technicians and the development of guidelines for electronic waste management and green public procurement.

Building on this foundation, EELA now advances efforts to update, further harmonize and expand MEPS into new regions, including ECOWAS through ECREEE, and into industrial applications. The benefits extend far beyond climate action. MEPS harmonization serves as a powerful development tool that improves livelihoods for women and men, girls and boys.

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