EBRD and Sustainable Energy for All join forces to accelerate clean energy delivery across emerging and developing countries
The partnership will strengthen collaboration on decentralized renewable energy, sustainable cooling, green finance and climate resilience.
London, United Kingdom | 22 June 2026 – Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on sustainable energy and climate action across countries in Africa and other emerging and developing economies.
Over the initial 2026 to 2028 period, SEforALL and EBRD will prioritize collaboration on decentralized renewable energy, green finance, carbon markets, sustainable cooling and climate resilience, alongside policy support, technical assistance and knowledge sharing.
The organizations will also explore opportunities to advance initiatives such as Mission 300, the Universal Energy Facility and the Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund. Areas of collaboration will include expanding mini-grids, increasing access to cooling and agricultural cold chains, supporting local financial institutions in scaling green technologies, and helping countries strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks to attract investment.
The partnership builds on the complementary strengths of both organisations. SEforALL has worked in more than 115 countries to support sustainable energy transitions and mobilized billions of dollars in investment across energy access, energy transition planning, sustainable cooling, green industrialization and energy efficiency. EBRD brings extensive expertise in mobilizing investment, strengthening markets and working with the private sector to build competitive, resilient and sustainable economies across its countries of operation. Under its Green Economy Transition (GET) 2030 Strategy, EBRD is scaling market-enabling investments across six sectors critical to the green transition and aims to mobilize at least €150 billion in cumulative green financing by 2030.
The MoU was signed in London on the sidelines of London Climate Action Week by Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for SEforALL, and Heike Harmgart, Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at EBRD.
Heike Harmgart, Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, EBRD, said:
"The energy transition is ultimately about improving lives while building stronger, more resilient economies. Partnerships are essential to achieving the speed and scale required. This agreement will help us accelerate investment, support country-led solutions and create practical pathways for expanding clean energy access and climate resilience across our countries of operation."
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, said:
"Delivering a just energy transition at the speed and scale the world needs will require unprecedented collaboration. This partnership demonstrates what that looks like: combining policy expertise, investment and implementation capacity to help countries move faster from ambition to action."
The signing comes at a time when implementation is taking centre stage in global climate discussions. As the focus shifts from commitments to delivery, countries need partners that can mobilize investment, strengthen enabling environments and turn ambition into tangible results. By combining EBRD's investment and market-building expertise with SEforALL's country-level implementation experience and global convening power, the partnership is well-positioned to help countries accelerate sustainable energy transitions at scale.
By combining their expertise, networks and resources, SEforALL and EBRD aim to help countries accelerate progress towards universal energy access, strengthen energy security and build more prosperous and resilient economies.
Notes to Editor:
About the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
The EBRD is a multilateral bank that promotes the development of the private sector and entrepreneurial initiative in 40 economies across three continents. The Bank is owned by 77 countries, as well as the EU and the EIB. EBRD investments are aimed at making the economies in its regions competitive, well governed, green, inclusive, resilient and integrated.
About Sustainable Energy for All
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. Hosted by UNOPS, we work at the intersection of energy, climate and development, partnering with governments and organizations worldwide to double energy efficiency, significantly expand renewable energy, combat climate change and spur economic growth across the world. Learn more about our work at www.SEforALL.org
Media Contacts:
EBRD: Grace Wahu, Communications SSA: WahuG@ebrd.com; media@ebrd.com
SEforALL: Sherry Kennedy, Director of Communications: Sherry.Kennedy@SEforALL.org; Media@SEforALL.org
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