Key takeaways:
A few countries contribute the most to CO2 emissions in Africa. In 2023, South Africa ranked the first and largest emitter of CO2 emissions, contributing over 400 million metric tonnes. Egypt follows closely with 269 million metric tonnes, while Algeria contributes 178 million metric tonnes. Nigeria was the fourth highest contributor, with 128 million metric tonnes. These top four nations contribute the largest portion of Africa’s carbon emissions. Countries such as Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia also contribute substantially to global emissions. These contributions reflect the continent's heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy.