The top ten producers account for over 80% of the region’s generation, blending fossil fuels, hydropower, and renewables to support manufacturing sectors that contribute an average of 10% to national GDPs.
Yet challenges like transmission losses, underinvestment, and climate vulnerabilities persist. Here’s a validated overview based on recent data from international energy agencies and national reports.
1. South Africa – ~63,000 MW Installed Capacity
South Africa’s grid remains coal-dominant, comprising about 70% of its mix, bua renewables are accelerating through policy incentives. State-owned Eskom holds the majority stake, though reforms are fostering private entry via unbundling.
Policy & Investment: The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP), launched in 2011, has attracted over $20 billion in investments, adding 6,200 MW of renewable capacity by 2023.
This supports the Integrated Resource Plan’s goal of 29,500 MW new capacity by 2030, emphasizing wind and solar.
Economy Link: Manufacturing represents 13% of GDP, vital for mining, automotive, and exports worth billions annually.
However, load-shedding episodes have eroded productivity, prompting urgent grid modernization to bolster regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
2. Egypt – ~59,000 MW Installed Capacity
Natural gas powers over 80% of Egypt’s electricity, augmented by mega-projects like Siemens’ combined-cycle plants totaling 14,400 MW.
Renewables are surging, led by the 1.8 GW Benban Solar Park, one of the world’s largest.
Policy & Investment: The 2015 Electricity Law opened the sector to private players, enabling feed-in tariffs and exports via interconnections.
By 2024, renewables hit 11% of capacity, with targets for 42% by 2030.
Economy Link: Manufacturing contributes 14% to GDP, fueling petrochemicals, cement, and textiles—key exports via the Suez Canal.
Stable power has positioned Egypt as a North African hub, with non-oil exports rising 20% in 2024.
3. Nigeria – ~14,000 MW Installed, ~5,000 MW Available
Gas-fired stations and hydro facilities like Kainji (760 MW) and Shiroro (600 MW) form the core, but gas shortages and grid constraints cap output at under 40% of potential.
Policy & Investment: Privatization in 2013 transferred assets to private firms, yet reforms lag.
World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) initiatives, including $500 million for grid upgrades, aim to add 1,000 MW by 2026.
Economy Link: At 13.5% of GDP, manufacturing—spanning cement, agro-processing, and textiles—suffers from blackouts, forcing reliance on expensive diesel.
Enhanced supply could double exports, aligning with Nigeria’s AfCFTA aspirations.
4. Ethiopia – ~12,000 MW (Including Full GERD Operation)
Hydropower dominates at 90%, with the 6,450 MW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) now fully operational, nearly doubling prior capacity from 5,700 MW.
Policy & Investment: GERD’s $5.2 billion cost was funded domestically via bonds and citizen contributions, minimizing debt. Interconnections with Kenya and Sudan enable exports, targeting 5,000 MW regionally by 2030.
Economy Link: Manufacturing at 4.4% of GDP is growing through industrial parks like Hawassa, supporting garment and leather exports.
GERD’s reliable power could elevate this to 10% by 2030, transforming Ethiopia into an East African manufacturing powerhouse.
5. Morocco – ~11,500 MW Installed Capacity
A balanced mix includes coal, gas, hydro, and renewables, with the 510 MW Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex as a flagship CSP initiative.
Policy & Investment: Morocco eyes 52% renewables by 2030, backed by $10 billion in FDI. Recent approvals for 1 GW solar underscore progress toward 20 GW total green capacity.
Economy Link: Manufacturing’s 14% GDP share drives autos (Africa’s top exporter), phosphates, and aerospace.
Power surplus enables exports to Europe via undersea cables, enhancing Morocco’s Mediterranean trade role.
6. Algeria – ~22,600 MW Installed Capacity
Gas turbines fuel 97% of generation, with exports to Europe via pipelines to Spain and Italy averaging 50 billion cubic meters annually.
Policy & Investment: Reforms since 2020 promote solar diversification, targeting 15 GW renewables by 2035, though hydrocarbons remain central.
Non-energy exports tripled to $5.1 billion in 2023.
Economy Link: Manufacturing at ~6% of GDP lags, with 95% of exports hydrocarbon-based. Energy reforms could spur industrial growth in chemicals and machinery, reducing oil dependency.
7. Angola – ~6,000 MW Installed Capacity
Hydropower leads, with the 2,070 MW Lauca Dam supplying 40% of national needs and enabling northern grid stability.
Policy & Investment: The “Energy for All” initiative targets 60% electrification by 2025, up from 42%, via 800 MW solar additions. Total capacity aims for 9.9 GW.
Economy Link: Manufacturing’s 8.3% GDP contribution focuses on food processing amid oil dominance.
Power expansion supports diversification, potentially boosting non-oil exports by 15% annually.
8. Kenya – ~3,200 MW Installed Capacity
Geothermal from Olkaria fields provides 45% of supply, complemented by the 310 MW Lake Turkana Wind Farm, Africa’s largest.
Policy & Investment: Feed-in tariffs and geothermal incentives drive 100% renewable targets by 2030.
Peak demand hit 2,362 MW in 2025, spurring 1,000 MW additions.
**Economy Link:** At 8% of GDP, manufacturing thrives in agro-exports like tea and flowers. Reliable renewables enhance zones like Nairobi, positioning Kenya as East Africa’s export leader.
9. Democratic Republic of Congo – ~3,200 MW Installed (Potential >40,000 MW)
Inga I and II dams deliver 1,775 MW, a fraction of the Congo River’s 42 GW untapped potential. Inga III could add 11 GW.
Policy & Investment: Political hurdles delay progress, but World Bank funding ($2 billion) supports Inga III and local grids. Private projects aim for 4 GW by 2030.
Economy Link: Manufacturing under 10% of GDP relies on minerals; power deficits hinder processing of copper and cobalt.
Unlocking Inga could create a Central African industrial hub, multiplying exports.
10. Ghana – ~5,300 MW Installed, ~4,900 MW Dependable
Hydropower from Akosombo (1,020 MW) and gas plants dominate, with renewables at 2%.
Policy & Investment: The Power Sector Recovery Programme addresses debts and inefficiencies, targeting 1,000 MW additions by 2026 via private partnerships.
Economy Link: Manufacturing’s 10% GDP share underpins cocoa, gold, and aluminum exports.
Energy stability is key for smelting and textiles, with AfCFTA poised to expand markets.
These nations’ strategies highlight Africa’s energy crossroads: fossil reliance versus green transitions. With AfDB projecting $100 billion annual investments needed, unlocking potentials like GERD and Inga could electrify 600 million more Africans, turbocharging manufacturing to 15% of continental GDP by 2030.