In a momentous week at the 38th African Union Summit, held from 12 to 16 February 2025, African leaders endorsed groundbreaking strategies aimed at advancing Africa’s integration, economic transformation, and climate resilience. The Summit was instrumental in the adoption of ambitious strategies in the Infrastructure and Energy sectors that will shape the continent’s sustainable future.
The strategies, which had previously been approved by Transport and Energy ministers in December 2024, were centred around sustainable aviation fuels, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and climate-smart infrastructure.
On Sunday, 16 February 2025, during a comprehensive briefing to local and international journalists, the African Union’s outgoing Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, underscored the pivotal achievements and strategic initiatives of the African Union in the realm of infrastructure, energy, and digitalisation.
The Continental Strategy for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Low Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), adopted at the Summit, supports Africa’s objectives to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector while fostering its growth.
Africa is projected to experience a 4% annual growth in air traffic from 2018 to 2050. The SAF strategy will facilitate the creation of a SAF industry, offering significant economic benefits and job creation. Studies estimate that the Sustainable Aviation Fuels industry could generate between 11 and 20 million jobs and have a production potential of 70 to 261 million tonnes of SAF.
The African Green Hydrogen Strategy was also adopted, marking a critical step towards leveraging green hydrogen as a clean energy source across the continent. The strategy aims to position Africa as a leader in the global green hydrogen economy, reducing dependency on traditional energy sources and promoting energy security. Green hydrogen presents Africa with immense potential to foster sustainable development.
The African Green Hydrogen Strategy sets the stage for the continent to actively engage in the green hydrogen market, ensuring that African nations benefit from the financial and technical advancements in this area. Several African countries, including Namibia, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritania, and South Africa, are already leading the way with initiatives and projects related to green hydrogen production.
Another key milestone for the African Union’s energy agenda, the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (AfEES), was also officially adopted at the Summit. AfEES sets a high-level target of increasing Africa’s energy productivity by 50% by 2050 and 70% by 2063, aiming to enhance energy efficiency across sectors such as power, transport, industry, buildings, and agriculture.
In line with Africa’s commitment to sustainable development, the Continental Policy on Climate-Resilient and Smart Infrastructure was also adopted. The framework encourages the use of nature-based solutions, low-carbon technologies, and smart planning to enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. African countries will now tailor these principles to meet their unique national needs while fostering inclusive and climate-smart infrastructure development.
The recently concluded Summit also saw the adoption of the revised Abuja Safety Targets (ASTs) to improve aviation safety across Africa. These updated targets, aimed at enhancing air navigation and aviation safety, align with global best practices and ensure that African nations meet the evolving standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This will enhance the safety and efficiency of air transport systems across the continent, supporting the growth of the aviation sector.
According to Commissioner Dr Abou-Zeid, the strategies adopted during the 38th African Union Summit represent a turning point for Africa’s energy and infrastructure sectors. “From Sustainable Aviation Fuels to Green Hydrogen and energy efficiency, each of these initiatives is pivotal in achieving our climate goals, energy security, and economic growth.”
Dr Abou-Zeid also highlighted the role of digitalisation in driving Africa’s climate-smart and resilient infrastructure development. She explained how digital technologies, such as smart grids and data-driven planning, will be leveraged to optimise energy use, enhance sustainability, and improve service delivery across the continent. “Digitalisation is not just an enabler but a fundamental aspect of our infrastructure transformation. By integrating smart technologies and AI into transport, energy, water, and ICT sectors, we can unlock new opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and inclusive development,” she added.
With the adoption of these critical strategies, African leaders have paved the way for a harmonised and sustainable energy path across the continent. The strategies not only address climate change but also create the foundation for future economic growth, job creation, and regional cooperation.
