AFREC calls for stronger policy capacity to drive energy efficiency in Zambia (video)

The African Union (AU) specialised energy agency, the African Energy Commission (AFREC), has underscored the need for countries like Zambia to build capacity among policymakers to design and implement policies that promote energy-efficient buildings.

AFREC Executive Director, Rashid Ali Abdallah, emphasised the growing urgency of energy efficiency across Africa’s development agenda.

He made the remarks to Zambia Monitor on the sidelines of the official opening of the Pre-Conference Training for the African Energy Efficiency Conference (AfEEC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, scheduled for December 10 to 11, 2025.

The inaugural African Energy Efficiency Conference, to be held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, will bring together key partners, experts, and media representatives to outline the significance of the continental gathering.

Abdallah said the continent’s rapidly increasing energy needs require solutions that were both immediate and sustainable.

“Improving efficiency across power systems, buildings, transport, agriculture, and industry is critical to achieving universal access and supporting economic resilience,” Abdallah stated.

He noted that “energy efficiency was the cleanest, most affordable, and most immediate strategy for reducing energy poverty.”

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Abdallah also stressed the importance of collective action, citing persistent losses across electricity systems in several countries, including Zambia.

“Every unit of energy saved is, in effect, energy created and Member States and partners of AFREC must drive forward the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Roadmap (AfEES), adopted by Heads of State earlier this year,” he said.

He added that countries must continue strengthening national resilience through strategic development finance and essential energy access solutions, while championing evidence-driven governance through robust statistical frameworks and data leadership.

“Africa is faced with challenges such as infrastructure, financing, climate change, among others which must be dealt with urgently before the continent can achieve economic sustainability,” Abdallah stated.

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