From 8 to 11 December 2025, UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E) participated in the first African Energy Efficiency Alliance Conference (AfEEC 2025), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event brought together governments, regional institutions, and international partners to reaffirm energy efficiency as central to Africa’s sustainable energy goals. U4E’s involvement showcased over a decade of technical support to African countries on appliance efficiency and climate-aligned policy frameworks.
During the conference, U4E contributed to sessions on regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, and appliance efficiency, including those linked to the Africa Energy Efficiency Facility—a G20 legacy initiative developed with UNEP’s support. U4E was also involved in technical reviews of AFREC’s Handbook on the Development and Implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in Africa.
U4E’s activities span several national and regional programmes. In Nigeria, U4E has supported the introduction of MEPS for room air conditioners, enhanced monitoring and enforcement, addressed end-of-life management of appliances and refrigerants, and led public awareness campaigns. U4E also contributed recommendations to Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
In The Gambia, U4E supported the development of MEPS, energy labelling, and a National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) through a policy framework for efficient and climate-friendly air conditioners and refrigerators. Capacity building included study tours and technical assistance to key institutions such as the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines (MOPEM).
In Rwanda, U4E supported MEPS and labelling for cooling appliances aligned with harmonised East African Community (EAC) standards. The initiative also promoted sustainable cold-chain solutions to reduce food loss and enhance healthcare resilience.
In North Africa, U4E’s project in Tunisia promoted the transition to energy-efficient lighting through MEPS, labelling, enforcement, and environmentally sound management frameworks.
Regionally, U4E has worked with SACREEE and EACREEE on harmonised MEPS for room air conditioners and refrigerators. In Southern Africa, the SADC region finalised regional MEPS in November 2023, circulated for national adoption in early 2024. In the EAC, harmonised MEPS were approved in March 2025 and gazetted in July 2025, with adoption by Member States expected by February 2026. These standards include limits on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of refrigerants.
“U4E remains committed to working alongside governments and partners to scale practical, high-impact solutions,” the organisation stated.