The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) was launched by African and European Heads of State in 2007 at the AU-EU Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. A central partnership of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, the AEEP is the key political platform through which both continents work together on energy. The overall aim of the AEEP is to facilitate the achievement of universal access to affordable, sustainable and modern energy services in Africa, including in rural areas, as a necessity and as a pre-requisite to generating inclusive development and jobs.

The work of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership is guided by its Steering Group, currently comprised of the African Union Commission, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Egypt, the European Commission, Germany and Italy. The AEEP Secretariat implements the day-to-day work of the Partnership, and is hosted by GIZ. The AEEP is financed by the European Commission and Germany.

The Mapping and Monitoring of Energy Initiatives and Programmes in Africa (MMEIPA) has been undertaken in the context of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) in collaboration with the African Energy Commission (AFREC) and with the involvement and support of numerous development partners.