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The Women in Energy Network-Africa (WEN-Africa) and Agence française de développement (AFD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking AFD’s entry into the pan-African network’s circle of development partners. This strategic partnership strengthens their shared commitment to a sustainable and inclusive energy transition, with a gender-inclusive approach.
Partnership between AFD and WEN-Africa
WEN-Africa is a cooperation platform that brings together donors, public institutions, and private stakeholders in Africa’s energy sector. It aims to increase women's participation in a field still marked by significant gender disparities by promoting their access to technical and decision-making roles, while supporting their professional development through training, networking, and knowledge-sharing.
A partnership aligned with AFD’s feminist development strategy
By joining this network, AFD takes part in a collective movement to transform Africa’s energy sector by promoting the inclusion and representation of women across the entire energy value chain. This partnership also enables the alignment of development efforts and the identification of concrete solutions to unlock transformative investments in the energy sector.
In this context, AFD positions itself as a feminist development agency, in line with France’s feminist diplomacy. This is a strategic choice aimed at effectiveness, placing girls’ and women’s empowerment at the heart of development strategies. Today, 100% of AFD’s projects around the world are assessed through a gender lens, to ensure their impact on equality and sustainability.
“By joining WEN-Africa, we reaffirm our conviction that promoting gender equality in the energy sector is both a development priority and a key driver of impact. As a feminist development agency, we are proud to reinforce — through this initiative — our close and trusted partnership with the World Bank.” said Nicolas Guichard, Head of the Energy Division at AFD.
“This partnership with AFD marks a significant milestone in our journey to reshape Africa’s energy sector through the lens of equity and inclusion. Together, we are not only amplifying women’s voices and leadership in energy, but also unlocking the full potential of sustainable development by ensuring no talent is left behind. We are proud to welcome AFD — a true champion of feminist development — to the WEN-Africa family.” said Fowzia Hassan, Senior Energy Officer, World Bank, Wen-Africa Interim Secretariat
About WEN-Africa :
The Women in Energy Network – Africa (WEN-Africa) is a pan-African platform dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s leadership in the energy sector. Supported by the World Bank and development partners, WEN-Africa brings together public institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to increase women’s participation across the entire energy value chain.
Through training, networking, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange, WEN-Africa supports the development of inclusive, sustainable energy systems—aligned with the World Bank Gender Strategy 2024–2030. Our mission is to ensure women are not just included in Africa’s energy transition, but are leading it.