How Africa’s 10 most populous countries generate their power

Despite being endowed with abundant natural resources, most countries in Africa struggle to generate enough power to meet the electricity demands of their growing populations.

From hydropower in Ethiopia to natural gas in Nigeria and coal in South Africa, the continent’s energy landscape reflects both its vast natural resources and the challenges of expanding electricity access.

While some countries are making significant strides toward renewable energy, others still depend heavily on fossil fuels.

Addressing energy gaps and increasing power generation capacity will require significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and human capacity.

Moreover, it will require a concerted effort from governments, private sector players, and civil society organizations to promote sustainable energy development and reduce the continent’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Globally, just over one-third of electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources. However, some countries rely almost entirely on fossil-free energy.

According to a report by Our World in Data – Electricity Mix, about 61% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, 9.1% from nuclear power, and 30% from renewable sources.

While fossil fuels (gas & coal) still play a major role in Africa, there is a growing shift toward renewables like hydropower and geothermal energy for long-term sustainability.

Countries choose their primary energy sources based on resource availability, leveraging what is naturally abundant (e.g., gas in Nigeria, hydropower in DR Congo, coal in South Africa).

The table below, sourced from Our World in Data and Worldometer, presents Africa’s most populous nations and their primary energy sources.

A closer examination of the energy sectors in Africa’s high-population countries reveals distinct trends and patterns.

Gas-rich countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Algeria rely heavily on natural gas for electricity generation. In contrast, hydropower dominates in countries with abundant river systems, such as Ethiopia, DR Congo, and Uganda.

Coal is only dominant in South Africa, which faces challenges transitioning to cleaner energy. Kenya, on the other hand, uniquely relies on geothermal energy due to its favorable geography.

Government policies and energy security drive efforts to reduce imports and enhance self-sufficiency by prioritizing local energy resources.