ECCAS countries vary across key development indicators, however, they clearly have common development challenges. Central Africa’s energy sector must address the interrelated challenges of energy access, energy security and climate change mitigation and adaptation, which are intertwined with the region’s economic and social challenges. 

Notwithstanding that most of its population lacks modern energy services (average electricity access rate of 46.76% and average access to clean cooking fuels of 29.02%), Central Africa has the most abundant energy resources on the African continent and massive potential for RE development. IRENA predicts that between 2015 and 2030, the renewable share of capacity will increase from 56% to 77%, amounting to 11 860 MW of hydropower, 7 908 MW of solar PV, 4 083 MW of biomass, and 1 420 MW of wind energy. 

The creation of the CEREEAC provides an important contribution to the envisaged structural transformation in Central Africa. Global emergencies, such as climate change and the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, have demonstrated the vulnerability of Central African countries, which are highly dependent on the export of raw materials, including oil and gas. The shift towards renewable energy and resource efficiency, as well as circular economy practices, are an important prerequisite for the success of economic diversification, industrialisation, and climate action. The expansion of higher-added-value manufacturing and servicing in Central Africa requires rapid investments in climate-resilient low-carbon energy infrastructure.