Africa’s Power Struggle: How Oil, Gas, and Hydropower Shape the Continent’s Energy Future

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Africa’s energy landscape tells a story of contrasts—one defined by fossil fuel dominance and the other by renewable potential waiting to be unlocked. A new report mapping the primary sources of electricity in every African nation paints a revealing picture of the continent’s reliance on oil, gas, coal, and hydropower, exposing both strengths and vulnerabilities in the current energy mix.

In North and West Africa, fossil fuels reign supreme, with countries like Nigeria, Algeria, and Egypt heavily dependent on oil and gas for power generation. Meanwhile, Central and East Africa lean on hydropower, with DR Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia among the nations drawing most of their electricity from water sources.

One major outlier is Kenya, which has embraced geothermal energy, with nearly half of its electricity coming from underground heat sources—a rare but promising shift towards sustainable energy. In stark contrast, South Africa and Botswana still rely on coal, underscoring the slow pace of transition away from high-carbon fuels.

Despite hydropower emerging as Africa’s leading renewable energy source, challenges persist. Climate change, unpredictable rainfall, and aging infrastructure threaten the stability of hydropower-reliant nations, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.

With the world shifting toward clean energy investment, Africa stands at a crossroads. Will it double down on fossil fuels or seize the opportunity to lead the charge in renewable energy innovation? One thing is certain: the decisions made today will shape the continent’s energy future for generations to come.