The African Union Commission (AUC) has officially launched the AfSEM High-Level Technical Oversight Committee during a landmark two-day High-Level Technical Meeting on the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), held at its headquarters in Addis Ababa from June 30 to July 1, 2025.
The meeting convenes energy leaders from across Africa under the theme:
“Advancing AfSEM and CMP Implementation; Strengthening Regional Power Markets for a Unified and Sustainable African Electricity Future.”
The objective: to accelerate the creation of Africa’s first-ever continental electricity market, a cornerstone of the AU’s Agenda 2063 for regional integration and sustainable development.
Towards One Power Market for Africa
Currently, electricity access across African countries varies dramatically, from under 19% to over 90%. AfSEM and its supporting framework ,the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP) aim to harmonize regulations, boost investment, and link national grids to enable cross-border electricity trade. Through AfSEM, the AU envisions a fully connected and competitive electricity market that leverages Africa’s vast renewable energy potential while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Strategic Focus Areas
The two-day high-level event is structured around six major sessions and two in-depth breakout discussions. Topics include:
- Institutional governance and stakeholder coordination
- Deployment of renewable energy technologies and supply chains
- Development of carbon markets and financial de-risking tools
- Harmonization of grid codes, tariffs, and transmission systems
- Collaboration frameworks with global technical and financial partners
The event features participants from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Power Pools, regulatory agencies, development institutions, and major partners including AfDB, GIZ, EU, World Bank, and IRENA.
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Expected Outcomes
By the close of the meeting, the AUC expects to:
- Validate a continental roadmap for AfSEM and CMP implementation
- Launch a de-risking and investment-readiness framework
- Strengthen regional regulatory instruments for electricity market integration
- Secure political support from Member States for incorporating AfSEM into national energy and climate strategies
- Prepare policy recommendations for submission to the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee on Energy and Transport in October 2025
A Milestone for African Energy Sovereignty
“This isn’t just an event, it’s a historic turning point for how Africa produces, shares, and governs its electricity,” said Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, AUC Director of Infrastructure and Energy. “AfSEM is a path to energy sovereignty, industrial growth, and climate resilience.”
The AUC has confirmed that this meeting will now become an annual governance platform to monitor progress, enhance cooperation, and guide AfSEM’s evolution from blueprint to reality.
Africa is powering up for the future and this time, it’s doing it together.
Eyob Salemot, Correspondent
