Austria’s in Africa: new paths towards sustainable development

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer meeting with the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo in 2023. Picture: © Bundeskanzleramt (BKA) / Andy Wenzel

From traditional aid delivery to strategic partnerships focused on sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth, Austria’s presence in Africa has transformed significantly since the beginning of the millennium. A recent state visit by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen to South Africa produced agreements between the two countries to improve bilateral ties, improve private sector collaboration and strengthen trade, with Van der Bellen calling for more cooperation between Austria and African countries.

Anchored in the Three-Year Programme on Austrian Development Policy, Austria’s new era of cooperation focuses on programmes and partnerships on regional integration, human rights, and climate resilience. This includes new priority country areas (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Mozambique are central to Austria’s bilateral development efforts), regional strategies (Austria supports transnational initiatives across West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa, often in collaboration with the EU and UN frameworks) and institutional partnerships including academic and technical exchanges, particularly in renewable energy and environmental sciences.

The former is especially relevant for Austria’s developmental cooperation. A global leader in green technologies, over 80% of Austria’s energy is from renewable sources. As such, the country’s expertise in solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal systems is increasingly being applied through joint ventures, capacity building, and technology transfers. Since 2009, Austria has supported solar thermal energy development in six Southern African countries, avoiding over 684 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Austria also co-finances the EEP Africa Fund, an initiative that supports early-stage clean energy projects across 15 African nations. Alongside Italy, Germany, Tunisia, and Algeria, Austria signed a declaration towards the creation of a hydrogen pipeline connecting North Africa to Europe. Austria also lent its financial and technical support towards the creation of the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), which promotes regional climate resilience and energy access.

Beyond energy and climate action, Austria’s presence in Africa is increasingly multilateral, with both development agencies and private sector players playing a role. Recent agreements with South Africa aim to apply lessons from Austria’s work-based education and vocational training. The Austrian Development Agency has projects in West, East and Southern Africa. Through the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education & Research for Development (APPEAR), itself an initiative of the Austrian Development Cooperation, Austria has education-related projects in seven African countries. These include capacity building for sustainable tourism in Mozambique, strengthening research and science communication in Uganda and urban transformation in Ethiopia. 

Austria’s role in Africa is set to expand as the continent accelerates its green economy transition. The synergy between Austrian climate technologies and Africa’s potential for renewables offers an opportunity for new partnerships and for sustainable development rooted in equity, resilience, and innovation.