The African Energy Commission (AFREC) is a specialized agency of the African Union (AU), under the Commission for Infrastructure and Energy, in charge of coordinating, harmonizing, protecting, conserving, developing, rational exploitation, commercializing and integrating energy resources on the African continent.

AFREC was created by Decision AHG/Dec.167 (XXXVII) of the 37th Summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) African Heads of States and Governments which was held in Lusaka, Zambia, on 11 July 2001 and was launched by the African Union Ministers in charge of Energy in the meeting held on 15 – 17 February 2008 in Algiers, Algeria through the Algiers Declaration AU/EXP/EN/Decl.(III) with the aim of ensuring, coordinating and harmonizing the protection, conservation, development, rational exploitation, commercialization and integration of energy resources on the African continent

The activities and programs of AFREC are based on AFREC Convention decided by African Heads of States and Governments, Agenda 2063, African Union Commission (AUC) Strategic Plan. As per the convention, AFREC’s mandates are broad and covers all the elements of African energy sector according to Article 3 (Guiding Principles) and Article 4 (AFREC functions) of the convention:

Develop policies, strategies, researches and plans based on Member states, sub-regional, regional and continental development priorities and recommend their implementation; Design, create and update an energy continental data base and facilitate rapid dissemination of information and exchange of information among Member States, sub-regional, regional and continental institution; Provide technical support, mobilize financial and technical support, provide capacity building to the Member States, sub-regional, regional and continental institution for the energy sector;