Stable electricity is a key factor in economic growth and development, and it is especially important for countries in Africa, where many still lack reliable access to electricity.
Here are Top 10 African countries that have stable electricity supplies and are making progress towards expanding access to energy for all:
1. Egypt: 100% Access
Recall that His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi , the then presidential candidate of Labour party visited Egypt during his campaign to take a look at the structure of their electricity sector.
Egypt has 100% Electricity Access
Situated between the Mediterranean Ocean and the Red Sea, Egypt has accomplished the remarkable feat of achieving a 100% national electricity access rate for both its rural and urban populations. The country primarily relies on hydropower and thermal power stations for its electricity generation. Egypt has emerged as a leader in the renewable energy sector and is currently developing plans to export surplus electricity through interconnections to Europe, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Morocco: 100% Access
Morocco stands among the top electrified nations in Africa, successfully attaining a 100% national electricity access rate for both its rural and urban populations. Nestled in North Africa and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, Morocco possesses immense potential in the field of renewable energy, particularly solar power. With ambitious plans to increase the share of wind and solar in its energy mix to 52% by 2030, significant developments are underway within the country.
3. Tunisia: 100% Access
Tunisia covers the entirety of its domestic electricity consumption needs, proudly boasting a 100% national electricity access rate for both rural and urban areas. The North African country predominantly generates its electricity from natural gas and has set long-term goals for investing in renewable energy, with a target of achieving a 30% renewable energy share by 2023.
4. Algeria: 99.8% Access
Reaching a national electricity access rate of 99.8%, with 99.6% in rural areas and 99.9% in urban areas, Algeria secures its position among the most electrified countries in Africa. The country heavily relies on natural gas, which accounts for 96% of its installed capacity, while the remaining 4% is derived from a combination of oil, solar, hydropower, and wind.
5. Gabon: 91.6% Access
Gabon maintains an electricity access rate of 91.6%, with 27.8% in rural areas and 98.6% in urban areas. As an oil-rich nation, Gabon has implemented the Gabon Emergent Policy, which aims to establish a sustainable energy mix encompassing biomass, natural gas, and hydropower. These efforts are aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving electricity access across rural regions.
6. Ghana: 85.9% Access
Hydropower, thermal energy, and gas dominate Ghana's electricity mix. Currently, the country achieves a national electricity access rate of 85.9%, with access in rural areas at 74% and 94% in urban areas. Ghana possesses significant natural gas reserves and various renewable resources, presenting promising prospects for achieving a better balance in electricity generation sources.
7. South Africa: 84.4% Access
Coal remains the primary source of electricity generation in South Africa. The country's national access to electricity rate stands at 84.4%, with 75.3% access in rural areas and 88.8% in urban areas. However, South Africa aims to diversify its energy sources, investing in renewable energy to reduce reliance on coal and improve access. By 2030, the country plans to decrease coal usage to less than 60% while increasing the share of renewables to 25%.
8. Botswana: 72% Access
As a landlocked country in southern Africa, Botswana depends primarily on coal, wood, and petroleum for electricity generation. It relies on coal and petroleum imports from South Africa and neighboring countries. Botswana has achieved a 90.7% urban and 26.4% rural electricity access rate, bringing the national rate to 72%. The country is working towards achieving 100% electricity access by 2030 and aims to leverage its abundant wind and solar resources.
9.Kenya: 71.4% Access
Kenya leads East Africa with its impressive national electricity access rate of 71.4%, constituting 62.7% for rural areas and 94% for urban areas. The country's energy mix includes hydropower, geothermal energy, wind power, solar power, and biomass. Boasting a significant proportion of electricity derived from renewable resources, Kenya stands as a regional leader in renewable energy. Kenya's focus lies on improving electricity access, with a particular emphasis on rural electrification.
10.Senegal: 70.4% Access
Senegal harnesses an array of energy sources, with solar, wind, biomass, and natural gas playing prominent roles in its electricity generation. The country boasts an estimated national electricity access rate of 70.4%, further specified as 47.4% for rural areas and 95.2% for urban areas. With ambitious goals of achieving universal access to electricity by 2025, Senegal is driving progress through new gas-to-power initiatives and investments in renewable energy.