South Africa joins the IEA family, boosting global energy governance

CAPE TOWN – HE Minister Jeff Radebe, Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa, and Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, jointly announced today South Africa’s decision to join the IEA as an Association country. South Africa is the first sub-Saharan African country to institutionalise its engagement with the IEA, a development that marks an important milestone for energy governance in Africa and globally.

South Africa is a major player in African energy markets representing the largest energy consumer on the continent, accounting for about half of Africa’s electricity capacity and possessing one of the highest electrification rates. The IEA is prioritizing work in Africa in the years ahead, and South Africa will be a critical partner for launching and delivering an ambitious array of energy access, security and clean energy transitions initiatives across the continent.

“I approved of South Africa joining the IEA as an Association country because this decision places us at the centre of the global energy forum with positive economic benefits for our country as we learn from IEA family members,” said Minister Radebe.

While commending Minister Radebe for spearheading South Africa’s energy sector reform and making outstanding progress in improving the country’s electrification rate, Dr Birol stated that “today, Mr Minister, you again demonstrate South Africa’s leadership both in Africa and beyond. I am fully confident that this new chapter in our relationship will be mutually beneficial.”

Among the agreements signed by the two leaders was a three-year joint programme of work identifying opportunities for collaboration on energy statistics, energy efficiency, electrification and power system transition, renewables integration, energy innovation, and domestic gas market design.

South Africa’s decision to join the IEA family is a welcome development, and critical to the advancement of the IEA’s modernization mandate, which was defined during the 2015 Ministerial meeting and is built on three pillars: opening the agency’s doors to emerging countries; broadening energy security beyond oil to natural gas and electricity; and developing a global clean energy hub, including for energy efficiency.

The result has been a marked growth in the IEA family to include 30 members and 8 Association countries, and to represent almost 75% of global energy consumption.

In speaking of joining the IEA family, Minister Radebe extended his “appreciation to the IEA and Dr Birol’s leadership in achieving such a result in working with South Africa to become an Association country” and highlighted that he looks forward to “working together on affordable, accessible, and clean energy”. 

Dr Birol praised Minister Radebe for his vision and action and emphasized that the IEA looks forward to working with South Africa “to make the energy world more sustainable, more secure and more equitable.”

IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol (left) and HE Minister Jeff Radebe, Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa (Photograph: IEA)