Egypt and South Africa collectively accounted for half the electricity generated in Africa in 2022

South Africa and Egypt generated 239 terawatt-hours (TWh) and 201 TWh of electricity, respectively, in 2022, accounting for a combined 50% of Africa's 881 TWh. These countries, along with Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria, accounted for 68% of the continent's total.

Despite being one of Africa's largest economies and having the continent's largest population, Nigeria's electricity generation has historically been lower than its potential.

Source:

Our World in Data, World Bank

Period:

2022
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Coal demand falls by over 50% from 2007 peak, dropping from 1,705 Mtce to 833 Mtce in 2024
  • Coal demand peaked in 2007 at 1,705.1 Mtce, after a steady rise from 1,123.2 Mtce in 1974, marking a 52% increase over three decades.
  • A dramatic drop followed post 2007, with demand falling by 44.8% to 941.3 Mtce by 2020, a loss of over 763 Mtce in just 13 years.
  • Between 2020 and 2024, the decline continued, albeit more gradually, reaching 832.7 Mtce, indicating a consistent downward trend.
  • Coal consumption in 2024 is the lowest in five decades, even lower than 1974 levels, reflecting a major shift in global energy use.
Abuja residents pay ₦880 extra for diesel compared to Kogi​
  • Diesel prices in Adamawa skyrocketed by 92.77%, the most significant year-on-year increase nationwide, more than 4x the national average.
  • Many northern states, including Plateau (72.12%), Benue (60.57%), and Kano (54.76%), experienced steep diesel cost increases, intensifying regional cost disparities.
  • States like Gombe (-10%), Edo (-9.68%), and Kogi (-6.29%) bucked the national trend, offering some relief from rising energy costs.
  • The Federal Capital Territory recorded the highest absolute diesel price in the country.
  • Some states, such as Akwa Ibom (+2.17%) and Ebonyi (+2.23%), saw minimal changes.
  • Despite being a commercial hub, Lagos recorded one of the lowest diesel prices at ₦1,222.22, with a relatively small increase of 5.21%.
The northern regions of Nigeria saw the most significant rise in diesel prices over the past year, with the North East experiencing an increase of up to 36.26%
  • Diesel prices in the North East soared by 36.26%, the highest increase nationwide.
  • All three northern zones—North East (36.26%), North Central (33.71%), and North West (15.44%)—saw the steepest fuel price increases, outpacing their southern counterparts.
  • The South East (6.97%) and South South (9.23%) recorded the lowest diesel price increases.
  • The South West experienced a moderate rise at 13.30%, positioning it between the extremes of northern and other southern zones.
  • The uneven price changes point to a broader issue of fuel supply chain challenges, infrastructure, and perhaps market inefficiencies affecting certain regions more than others.
Cooking gas costs more in Nigeria's North East than in any other region
Key Takeaways:
  • The North East had the highest average cooking gas prices of ₦7.4k and ₦18.2k for 5kg and 12.5kg cylinders respectively
  • The average price of 5kg and 12.5kg cooking gas rose by 44.62% and 50.08% from December 2023
  • The North East had the highest average price for 5kg gas, followed by the North Central, South West, North East, South East, and then the South South, which had the lowest average price
  • The North East had the highest average price for 12.5kg gas, followed by the South West, South-South, South East, North East, and then the North Central, which had the lowest average price
As of December 2024, Taraba State (₦20,290.8) recorded the highest average price for 12.5kg cooking gas
Key Takeaways:
  • The average price for 12.5kg cooking gas varies between ₦15,000 and ₦20,300
  • The average price difference of cooking gas among Nigerian states is 28.97%
  • Four out of the six states in the Southwest region are among the top 20 Nigerian states with the highest average cooking gas prices
  • Nine out of Nigeria's 36 states plus Abuja have an average price for 12.5kg cooking gas that exceeds ₦18,000
  • Taraba State stands out as the only state in Nigeria with an average cooking gas price surpassing ₦20,000
  • The national average price of 12.5kg cooking gas in Nigeria is ₦17,274.16
Cape Verde has the highest electricity fluctuations, averaging 6056.4 kWh
  • The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Guinea had the most stable electricity supply from 2000 to 2021.
  • Cape Verde experienced the highest electricity fluctuations, with values ranging from 2981.5 kWh/person to 7692.9 kWh/person.
  • Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Mali, and Cape Verde had the most unstable electricity supply, with significant year-to-year variations.
  • Nigeria’s electricity supply averaged 2161.7 kWh/person but remained highly inconsistent, fluctuating between 1250.4 and 2707.9 kWh/person.
  • Mali had the lowest electricity availability among unstable nations, averaging 757.4 kWh/person, with a drop as low as 350.7 kWh/person.
  • Countries with stable electricity had lower fluctuations, with The Gambia leading at 957.8 kWh/person and Guinea reaching 1110.8 kWh/person.
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