On 7 and 8 September 2025, Teresa Ribera, European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent the European Union (EU) at the Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2). She will highlight the importance of the EU-Africa strategic partnership on climate action, engage with key interlocutors, and listen to diverse voices. The ACS2 is a milestone on the road to COP30 and the upcoming AU-EU Summit, taking place in a year that marks both the 50th anniversary of EU-Ethiopia relations and the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership (#AUEU25).
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, greater efforts are still needed to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Africa and the EU together account for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and must join forces to secure a successful outcome at COP30 in Brazil. The EU brings a strong track record, having cut emissions by 37% since 1990, with ambitious targets set of –55% for 2030, and climate neutrality by 2050.
Building resilience to impacts of climate change is critical for Africa. Through its Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Africa, part of the EU–Africa Global Gateway Investment Package, the EU is fostering joint approaches and innovative partnerships with African nations to reduce vulnerability, strengthen resilience and address loss and damage. At the same time, Africa has the potential to be a driving force in the global climate transition by harnessing its abundant renewable energy resources and empowering its young population to drive innovation.
As the world’s largest climate finance contributor, the EU is partnering with Africa to support both mitigation and adaptation, strengthening resilience and enabling a sustainable development path. Through the Global Gateway, the EU is investing in Africa’s economy and climate resilience, with the ambition to mobilise EUR 150 billion in investments by 2027.
Executive Vice President visit to Addis
Apart from high-level bilateral meetings with African and international leaders, and co-hosting a Dialogue with Non State Actors on climate with PACJA, Executive Vice-President Ribera will speak alongside the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and the President of Kenya, H.E. William Ruto, at a High-Level Event on International Carbon Markets and Pricing.
A concrete result from her visit will be the launch of two key Global Gateway projects to accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition:
-
Continental Energy Programme in Africa (CEPA) – a EUR 15 million initiative that opens a new chapter in EU–AU cooperation on the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Masterplan (CMP) and the African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES). CEPA will advance cross-border market operations, transmission development, renewable investments and energy-efficiency measures at continental, regional and national level.
-
RISED Ethiopia – a flagship program to strengthen, modernise and green Ethiopia’s power grid, with already EUR 133 million financed by Team Europe and additional funding under discussion. RISED illustrates the Global Gateway’s shift from aid to investment, built on equal partnerships and collective impact.
Both initiatives contribute to the “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” pledging campaign launched by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2024. The campaign mobilises public and private finance to accelerate renewables projects, expand access to affordable energy and cut emissions. These initiatives highlight the EU’s strong and reliable commitment to advancing climate action in Africa.
Executive Vice-President Ribera will also participate in other high-level events, including the Panel on the African Single Electricity Market and the Africa-Europe Policymakers Dialogue on Energy Transition Minerals.
Team Europe Pavilion at ACS2
As part of EU’s robust participation at the ACS2, Team Europe will host a pavilion with a full three-day agenda. The pavilion will be inaugurated on Monday 8 September, at 13h00 by European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sofie From-Emmesberger, and EU Ambassador to the African Union, Javier Niño Pérez, alongside representatives of EU Member States, EU entities, African partners and other dignitaries.
Climate action is a core EU political priority and lies at the heart of its partnership with Africa – not only as an environmental imperative, but also as the foundation of prosperity, stability and opportunity for future generations.
Press practical information and material:
-
September 8, 13h00: Media representatives are invited to the opening of the Team Europe Pavilion, followed by a press point
-
Audiovisual material will be available free of charge for media at EBS: photo & video
-
Media representatives need to register to the ACS here
Background
-
The AU and the EU launched a year-long celebration marking the 25th anniversary of their enduring and unique partnership – #AUEU25
-
The Joint Vision for 2030 agreed by African and European leaders at their last AU-EU Summit in 2022 guides the AU-EU Partnership to be a driving force in promoting our common priorities and shared values.
-
2025 is a milestone year with the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial held in Brussels, Belgium on 21 May and at the 7th AU-EU Summit set for 24-25 November in Luanda, Angola.
-
Global Gateway in Africa: EUR 150 billion worth of investments for a strong, inclusive, green and digital Africa: article, X, Instagram, Facebook, flagship projects
-
Other examples of the AU-EU partnership deliverables related to climate:
-
Continental Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) for Africa (2024–2034) launched in July 2025 by Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, and Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
-
The Mission Soil Manifesto signed by AU Commissioner Moses Vilakati beside EU Commissioner Christophe Hansen, at 6th EU-AU Agriculture Ministerial Conference in Rome (June 2025)
-
Press Contacts:
More information:
