The Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (EELA) Program is a multi‑country initiative supporting African industries in their transition towards more energy‑efficient, competitive, and low‑carbon production models. Implemented by UNIDO and funded by the Government of Sweden, EELA addresses the growing energy demands of the continent’s industrial sector while strengthening economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

At its core, EELA recognises that African industries face structural challenges that limit their ability to grow, including outdated technologies, limited access to specialised expertise, and difficulties in identifying and financing advanced clean‑technology solutions. At the same time, rapid urbanisation, demographic growth, and rising standards of living are increasing energy demand across industrial value chains. EELA responds to this context by combining policy support, technical assistance, capacity building, and market facilitation to enable an industrial transition that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Within this environment, the Industry Clean‑Tech Platform (ICTP) was conceived as a practical instrument to bridge the gap between ambition and implementation. Designed as a one‑stop shop for industrial energy needs, the ICTP accelerates the adoption of innovative low‑carbon technologies and enhances energy efficiency in the industrial sector by connecting technology supply and industrial demand through a single digital entry point.

The ICTP functions as a central hub where industries, international technology providers, energy experts, and institutions can access curated information, validated solutions, advisory services, training opportunities, and financing pathways. By addressing long‑standing market barriers, the platform supports industries in making informed decisions on cleaner production methods while reducing investment risks.

Its design responds directly to industry needs identified through the EELA Program, including access to reliable and high‑performing technologies, trusted expertise, and tailored support to reduce energy costs and emissions without compromising productivity. For technology providers and experts, the ICTP offers structured access to new markets, matchmaking opportunities, and collaboration across regions, fostering innovation and sustainable local value chains.

The ICTP was developed through a user‑centred approach, with clearly defined personas, governance mechanisms, and technical validation processes to ensure credibility and relevance. Beyond its digital architecture, the platform is embedded in EELA’s on‑the‑ground implementation through pilot country deployments, where demonstration projects will showcase replicable solutions and catalyse wider market transformation.

By linking industries with technologies, knowledge, and financing within a single ecosystem, the ICTP contributes to EELA’s broader objective: positioning green industrialisation as a win‑win pathway that strengthens competitiveness, reduces greenhouse‑gas emissions, and builds more resilient industrial sectors across Africa.

The development and implementation of the ICTP is supported by a broad coalition of public institutions, regional organisations, and private‑sector actors contributing expertise, market insight, and strategic guidance. Under the EELA Program, the platform is implemented by UNIDO, with the support of its funding partner Sida, and in close collaboration with sub‑regional energy centres, including EACREEE, SACREEE, and ECREEE, as well as national manufacturers’ associations such as KAM, ZAM, and CZI, and financial and advisory actors including GloFIN. The ICTP also engages a growing network of industrial companies and clean‑technology providers, whose participation helps translate energy‑efficiency ambitions into practical, competitive solutions for industry. Through this multi‑stakeholder collaboration, the ICTP strengthens connections across supply chains, regions, and sectors, reinforcing EELA’s objective of accelerating a scalable and inclusive transition towards cleaner and more resilient industrial development in Africa.