Africa’s development challenge is increasingly defined by the need to pursue rapid socio-economic transformation under conditions of constrained energy systems, climate vulnerability, and fiscal pressure. Rather than replicating carbon-intensive development models, African countries are uniquely positioned to leapfrog toward sustainable development by adopting energy-efficient technologies and institutions at scale. The Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (EELA) Program, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) across the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), represents a strategically important intervention in this regard.

Energy efficiency is widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective instruments for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in emerging economies (IEA, 2023). In Africa, inefficient lighting and appliances continue to drive avoidable electricity demand, increase household expenditure, strain utilities, and reinforce energy poverty. EELA addresses these structural inefficiencies by supporting policy and regulatory reform, institutional capacity building, and market transformation for energy-efficient appliances and lighting across three major regional economic communities.

At its core, EELA advances SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by reducing energy demand while preserving, and often improving, energy services. By promoting Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), compliance mechanisms, and quality infrastructure, the programme enables countries to curb peak demand growth, improve grid reliability, and defer costly investments in generation capacity. Evidence suggests that appliance efficiency policies can reduce national electricity demand growth by up to 30 per cent over the medium term (CLASP, 2021), a critical outcome for power-constrained African economies.

Importantly, EELA reflects an understanding of energy efficiency as a development enabler rather than a narrow technical intervention. Through its regional scope, the programme supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by strengthening standards bodies, testing laboratories, and market surveillance systems. These institutional investments underpin industrial upgrading, protect consumers, and facilitate regional harmonization of standards, which is essential for effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The leapfrogging potential of EELA is particularly evident in its climate and livelihoods orientation. Energy efficiency delivers immediate and permanent emissions reductions, positioning the programme as a practical contributor to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and to national climate commitments. The International Energy Agency estimates that energy efficiency could account for more than 40 per cent of global emissions reductions required by 2030 (IEA, 2023). For African countries, this pathway avoids the trade-offs often associated with mitigation strategies reliant on supply-side transitions alone.

Beyond macro-level impacts, EELA directly supports sustainable livelihoods by aligning efficiency gains with social outcomes. Reduced household energy expenditure contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), while improved lighting quality enhances productivity, health, and educational outcomes. These co-benefits reinforce the case for energy efficiency as a cornerstone of inclusive and resilient development.

In conclusion, Africa’s pathway to the SDGs will be shaped not only by expanding energy supply, but by how effectively energy demand is managed. UNIDO’s EELA Programme demonstrates that energy efficiency is central to Africa’s leapfrogging strategy, advancing economic resilience, social inclusion, and climate action across EAC, SADC, and ECOWAS.

Ndivhuho Tshikovhi

Project Associate, UNIDO

Image: Michael Starkie | Unsplash

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