Clean energy sources have supplied more than half of Africa’s growing electricity demand in recent years, underscoring the continent’s gradual shift toward lower-carbon power despite persistent energy access challenges.
According to a report by Ember, renewable and other low-carbon sources met 52 percent of additional electricity demand across Africa between 2020 and 2025, driven largely by hydropower expansion and increasing deployment of solar and wind energy.
As a result, low-carbon energy now accounts for about 27 percent of the continent’s total electricity generation mix.
Renewables alone have reached 26 percent of total generation, overtaking coal for the first time — a milestone that highlights shifting energy dynamics in a region historically reliant on fossil fuels.
Despite this progress, natural gas remains the dominant source of electricity, contributing 42 percent of total output in 2025. Gas-fired generation has expanded significantly over the past decade, particularly in North African countries such as Egypt, Algeria and Libya, where domestic production supports large-scale power generation.
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Coal, meanwhile, remains the second-largest energy source but continues to decline. Its share of electricity generation has fallen to 24 percent, with output dropping by more than 8 terawatt-hours in 2025.
Renewable generation rose by approximately 22 terawatt-hours last year, marking a 9.4 percent increase compared with 2024. Hydropower accounted for the largest share of this growth, followed by wind and solar energy.
However, analysts say Africa’s renewable energy potential remains significantly underutilised. Despite being the sunniest region globally, solar power contributed less than 4 percent of total electricity generation in 2025. The continent also accounted for only 1.4 percent of global solar output.
The report highlights a widening gap between rising demand and available supply. Electricity consumption in Africa grew by 3.2 percent in 2025, exceeding the global average of 2.8 percent, reflecting population growth, urbanisation and industrial expansion.
Yet the continent still represents just over 3 percent of global electricity demand, despite accounting for nearly one-fifth of the world’s population. Millions of people, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, continue to lack access to reliable electricity, while per capita consumption remains far below global levels.
Ember said accelerating the rollout of clean energy will be critical to meeting future demand and achieving universal electricity access by 2030, in line with global development goals.
The report also outlined regional priorities. It recommended that South Africa reduce its reliance on coal-fired power, while North African countries scale back dependence on natural gas.
For much of the rest of the continent, where emissions remain relatively low, the focus should be on expanding electricity access and building resilient energy systems capable of supporting economic growth.
Experts say that while the progress in clean energy adoption is encouraging, significantly higher investment, improved infrastructure and supportive policy frameworks will be needed to unlock Africa’s vast renewable potential and meet rapidly rising demand.
