Can the AFREC–Denmark ‘Efficiency First’ Partnership Transform Africa’s Path to a Greener Future?

The African Energy Commission, being a specialized energy agency of the African Union with a mandate articulated in the AFREC Convention, was established by the African heads of state and governments in 2001. With a mandate primarily focusing on fundamental energy issues, it has operated six main programs, such as the African Energy Information System (AEIS), energy efficiency, bioenergy, oil and gas, as well as energy transition and capacity building.
In partnership with the Government of Denmark, AFREC has launched the “Efficiency First” program, which surrounds the new initiative designed to boost energy efficiency across African countries. This very program is a direct support point underneath the African Union’s goals for Agenda 2063, particularly revolving around sustainable development, reduced emissions, and improved energy access. As it directly involved African Union member states, it affects 20 Commonwealth countries within Africa, all of which can benefit from, participate in, and even be influenced by the core initiatives taken by this program, such as national energy-efficiency policy support, standards and labeling programs, technical assistance, training and capacity building, and even access to Danish energy efficiency expertise.
Therefore, to ask the question, ‘What does the Efficiency First program aim to achieve?’
The Efficiency First Programme aims to improve how African countries use energy by strengthening national policies, promoting energy-efficient technologies, and helping governments reduce demand, lower costs, and improve reliability. It also expands technical and financial cooperation with Denmark to support Africa’s transition to cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
And what of Denmark? What significant value does it bring to this whole ideal?
By providing technical advisers, sharing planning expertise, supporting feasibility studies, and offering access to European financing models, Denmark helps African countries adopt proven energy-efficiency solutions and adapt them to their local needs.
With Africa’s energy demands skyrocketing rapidly, this program’s whole purpose is to reduce energy waste, lower electricity costs for households and industry, improve energy security by reducing unnecessary demand, delay or reduce the need for expensive new power generation, strengthen Africa’s climate mitigation contributions, and support green job creation in efficiency-related industries.
The Efficiency First Programme will help countries improve their ability to make energy-saving changes on their own in the long run by offering workshops on energy efficiency standards, energy auditing, and monitoring; sharing knowledge between African and Danish energy experts; and training for policymakers, utilities, and technical agencies.