Africa’s renewable capacity has more than doubled since 2016, but its share of global capacity remains below 2%

Key Takeaways

  • About 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity.
  • Africa has 20% of the world's population but receives less than 3% of global energy investment.
  • South Africa added the most renewable capacity from 2016–2025, followed by Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco and Tanzania.
  • Africa's renewable capacity is growing, but its share of global capacity remains small.

About 600 million people in Africa still live without electricity. That is a big reason why adding more power generation matters. Renewable energy offers one way to do it, particularly as countries look to expand electricity supply without increasing their dependence on fossil fuels.

For this to gain momentum, Africa has to attract more investment into its energy systems. The continent has about 20% of the world’s population but receives less than 3% of global energy investment.

Africa’s share of global renewable capacity is still small, but the numbers are moving in the right direction in some countries. South Africa added the most capacity between 2016 and 2025, followed by Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco and Tanzania.

Sources: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026; International Energy Agency, World Energy Investment 2025; Clean Energy Investment for Development in Africa; Financing Electricity Access in Africa.

Source:

IRENA

Period:

2016-2025
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