Africa

Africa

Population (2022, World Bank) 1.3 billion
GDP (2020, World Bank) 2.39 USD trillion
CO2 Emission (2020, EDGAR) 1 384,72 Mton
Electrification rate (2020, World Bank) 55.94 %
Installed Renewable Energy Capacity (2021, IRENA) 55.2 GW

Africa Clean Energy Corridor
West Africa Clean Energy Corridor
Pan-Arab Clean Energy Initiative
Entrepreneurship Support Facility

Overview

Africa’s rapid economic expansion creates a daunting energy challenge, combined with rising expectations of improved resilience and sustainability. Finding a sustainable way to meet growing energy needs is one of the core development challenges for the continent. Africa is rich in renewable energy sources, including hydro, sun, wind and others, and the time is right for sound planning to ensure the right energy mix. Decisions made today will shape the continent’s energy sector for decades.

The Agency has engaged closely with African countries since its formation in 2011. IRENA has pursued strategic, results-oriented partnerships with African organisations and development partners, leading to concrete outcomes and impact on the ground. Strong linkages to the regional programmes and initiatives have heightened synergies in the pursuit of Africa’s energy transformation.

As is the case elsewhere, renewables are an increasingly favoured option in Africa because of environmental concerns but also, increasingly, because they are an economical option. Fostering the continued growth of modern renewables in Africa is imperative.

In Africa, IRENA is implementing the following national and regional programmes and initiatives:

Africa Clean Energy Corridor, a regional initiative to accelerate the development of renewable energy potential and cross-border trade of renewable power within the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

IRENA work in the region

Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA)

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Key data

Past Events

Related publications

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Resources

Communiques:

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