Note: This dataset has been updated with transmission lines for the MENA region. This is the most complete and up-to-date open map of Africa's electricity grid network. This dataset serves as an updated and improved replacement for the Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD) data that was published in 2007. Coverage This dataset includes planned and existing grid lines for all continental African countries and Madagascar, as well as the Middle East region. The lines range in voltage from sub-kV to 700 kV EHV lines, though there is a very large variation in the completeness of data by country. An interactive tool has been created for exploring this data, the Africa Electricity Grids Explorer. Sources The primary sources for this dataset are as follows: Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD) OSM © OpenStreetMap contributors For MENA: Arab Union of Electricity and country utilities. For West Africa: West African Power Pool (WAPP) GIS database World Bank projects archive and IBRD maps There were many additional sources for specific countries and areas. This information is contained in the files of this dataset, and can also be found by browsing the individual country datasets, which contain more extensive information. Limitations Some of the data, notably that from the AICD and from World Bank project archives, may be very out of date. Where possible this has been improved with data from other sources, but in many cases this wasn't possible. This varies significantly from country to country, depending on data availability. Thus, many new lines may exist which aren't shown, and planned lines may have completely changed or already been constructed. The data that comes from World Bank project archives has been digitized from PDF maps. This means that these lines should serve as an indication of extent and general location, but shouldn't be used for precisely location grid lines.

This map shows electricity access in Africa. The data source is from the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook. The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook first constructed a database on electrification rates for WEO-2002. The database once again was updated for WEO-2015, showing detailed data on national, urban and rural electrification.

The general paucity of data on electricity access means that it must be gathered through a combination of sources, including: IEA energy statistics; a network of contacts spanning governments, multilateral development banks and country-level representatives of various international organisations; and, other publicly available statistics, such as US Agency for International Development (USAID) supported DHS survey data, the World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMS), the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) statistical publications, and data from national statistics agencies. In the small number of cases where no data could be provided through these channels other sources were used. If electricity access data for 2013 was not available, data for the latest available year was used.

For many countries, data on the urban and rural breakdown was collected, but if not available an estimate was made on the basis of pre-existing data or a comparison to the average correlation between urban and national electrification rates. Often only the percentage of households with a connection is known and assumptions about an average household size are used to determine access rates as a percentage of the population. To estimate the number of people without access, population data comes from OECD statistics in conjunction with the United Nations Population Division reports World Urbanization Prospects: the 2014 Revision Population Database, and World Population Prospects: the 2012 Revision. Electricity access data is adjusted to be consistent with demographic patterns of urban and rural population. Due to differences in definitions and methodology from different sources, data quality may vary from country to country. Where country data appeared contradictory, outdated or unreliable, the IEA Secretariat made estimates based on cross-country comparisons and earlier surveys.

This dataset is now superseded by the updated Africa Electricity Transmission and Distribution Grid Map (2017). Please use that if looking for the most up to date data. The Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD) was an unprecedented knowledge program on Africa’s infrastructure that grew out of the pledge by the G8 Summit of 2005 at Gleneagles to substantially increase ODA assistance to Africa, particularly to the infrastructure sector, and the subsequent formation of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA). The AICD study was founded on the recognition that sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffers from a very weak infrastructural base, and that this is a key factor in the SSA region failing to realize its full potential for economic growth, international trade, and poverty reduction. The study broke new ground, with primary data collection efforts covering network service infrastructures (ICT, power, water & sanitation, road transport, rail transport, sea transport, and air transport) from 2001 to 2006 in 24 selected African countries AICD has been implemented by the World Bank on behalf of a steering committee representing the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Africa’s regional economic communities, the African Development Bank, and major infrastructure donors.

This spatial vector dataset shows areas of identified high quality potential for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) development divided into large contiguous areas called "zones." This dataset contains zones for the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) region. This is one of many products resulting from a study led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) identifying wind and solar renewable energy zones for the Africa Clean Energy Corridor (ACEC). For each zone identified, multiple siting criteria were estimated, including the total and component levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), average capacity factor, distance to nearest grid infrastructure, distance to the nearest load center, average population density. For full documentation of the methods and descriptions of the attributes, please refer to the report and attribute information in the interactive PDF map. They can be found on the irena.org/Publications and mapre.lbl.gov websites. The information provided is meant to inform high-level policy debate (identification of opportunity areas for further prospection, preliminary assessment of technical potentials), or to perform market screening (cross referencing the resource information with policy information). It is suitable for decision-making activities, excluding financial commitments. By using these data, the user accepts IRENA and LBNL's Terms and Conditions shown here:

As of 2023, the solar energy capacity in Africa reached around **** gigawatts, increasing from **** gigawatts in the previous year, an increase of more than eight percent. Africa's solar energy capacity has been annually increasing since 2011. In that year, it was measured at only *** megawatts. In the period under review, the continent's solar energy capacity increase by over a sixteen-fold.

This spatial vector dataset shows areas of identified high quality potential for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) development divided into large contiguous areas called "zones." This dataset shows all zones in the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) region. This is one of many products resulting from a study led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) identifying wind and solar renewable energy zones for the Africa Clean Energy Corridor (ACEC). For each zone identified, multiple siting criteria were estimated, including the total and component levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), average capacity factor, distance to nearest grid infrastructure, distance to the nearest load center, average population density. For full documentation of the methods and descriptions of the attributes, please refer to the report and attribute information in the interactive PDF map. They can be found on the irena.org/Publications and mapre.lbl.gov websites. The information provided is meant to inform high-level policy debate (identification of opportunity areas for further prospection, preliminary assessment of technical potentials), or to perform market screening (cross referencing the resource information with policy information). It is suitable for decision-making activities, excluding financial commitments. By using this dataset, the user accepts IRENA and LBNL's Terms and Conditions shown here: IRENA: The designations employed and the presentation of materials herein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Renewable Energy Agency concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. While this publication promotes the adoption and use of renewable energy, the International Renewable Energy Agency does not endorse any particular project, product or service provider. LBNL: This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor the Regents of the University of California, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by its trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or the Regents of the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof or the Regents of the University of California.

Electricity Production in South Africa increased to 20377 Gigawatt-hour in May from 18772 Gigawatt-hour in April of 2025. This dataset provides - South Africa Electricity Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This horizontal bar chart displays access to electricity (% of population) by country using the aggregation average, weighted by population in Africa. The data is about countries.

Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) in South Africa was reported at 9.7 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa was set to decrease in 2021. Some 597 million people did not have electricity connections in the region that year, while in 2020 electrical energy was inaccessible to 581 million Africans. This means that around five out of every 10 individuals below the Sahara lived in the dark. In rural areas, the situation was even worse: over 70 percent of the population lacked access to electricity. Among Africa’s regions, Central and West Africa registered the most dramatic scenario, with electrification covering less than half of the population.

A new challenge for electrification progress

From 2000 to 2013, the number of people without electricity in sub-Saharan Africa increased annually, peaking at some 612 million individuals. This trend changed, however, between 2014 and 2019. During this period, few countries increased the accessibility to electrical energy, improving the overall conditions in the region. For instance, the access rate in Kenya reached nearly 70 percent – against 36 percent in 2014. Nevertheless, the electrification progress in sub-Saharan Africa has been afterward jeopardized by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The economic crisis triggered by the disease worsened the poverty level in Africa, leaving households in vulnerability and unable to afford electrical energy.

Renewables as a path to fight energy poverty

Investments in renewable technologies may play a key role in improving access to electricity in Africa. The continent has abundant hydro, solar, wind, and bioenergy resources. In fact, renewable energy capacity on the continent almost doubled in the last ten years. Similarly, the number of Africans connected to solar mini grids strongly increased, although it still covers a small share of the entire population – revealing a potential for growth in the coming years.

South Sudan ranked as the least-electrified country in the world in 2022, with only 8.4 percent of its population having access to electricity. Burundi fared only slightly better, with an access rate of around 10 percent. Electricity access in Africa As of 2022, the top 20 least-electrified countries in the world were all located in Africa, except for Papua New Guinea. In fact, while the number of people without electricity worldwide more than halved in the past two decades, the figure for Sub-Saharan Africa has remained fairly stable in the period, accounting for roughly eight out of every 10 people without electricity in 2023. The region also shows great disparities in access between urban and rural areas. In 2022, over 80 percent of the urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa had access to electricity, while the same was true for only 31 percent of rural dwellers. Global power trends Despite disparities, electricity consumption worldwide has seen continuous growth in the past century, more than tripling since 1980. As more people gain access to this service, and different sectors (such as heating and transportation) see a growth in electrification, global power generation is forecast to double again by the middle of the century.

This line chart displays renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) by date using the aggregation average in Middle Africa. The data is about countries per year.

South Africa: Solar electricity generation, billion kilowatthours: The latest value from 2023 is 6.39 billion kilowatthours, an increase from 6.22 billion kilowatthours in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 8.63 billion kilowatthours, based on data from 188 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1980 to 2023 is 1.02 billion kilowatthours. The minimum value, 0 billion kilowatthours, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 6.65 billion kilowatthours was recorded in 2021.

Spatial extent of existing and planned electricity grid. A new electricity grid layer was compiled by using multiple sources that enumerates elements of the existing transmission and distribution network. These sources include Open Street Map, the Word Bank datasets, Arderne et al., the Economic Community of West African States Observatory for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, and from rural electrification agencies/EU delegations in Africa (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania).

Map with Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and PV power potential in Sub-Saharan Africa. The GIS data stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link provides poster size (.tif) and midsize maps (.png).

Access to electricity (% of population) in Central African Republic was reported at 17.6 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Central African Republic - Access to electricity (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

This scatter chart displays renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) against net energy imports (% of energy use) in Africa. The data is about countries.

This is the most complete and up-to-date open map of Sub-Saharan Africa's electricity grid network. This dataset serves as an updated and improved replacement for the Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD) data that was published in 2007.

Coverage: This dataset includes planned and existing grid lines for all 43 continental Sub-Saharan African countries and Madagascar. The lines range in voltage from sub-kV to 700 kV EHV lines, though there is a very large variation in the completeness of data by country.

An interactive tool has been created for exploring this data, the Africa Electricity Grids Explorer.

The primary sources for this dataset are as follows: Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD) OSM © OpenStreetMap contributors For West Africa: West African Power Pool (WAPP) GIS database World Bank projects archive and IBRD maps

There were many additional sources for specific countries and areas. This information is contained in the files of this dataset, and can also be found by browsing the individual country datasets, which contain more extensive information.

Limitations: Some of the data, notably that from the AICD and from World Bank project archives, may be very out of date. Where possible this has been improved with data from other sources, but in many cases this wasn't possible. This varies significantly from country to country, depending on data availability. Thus, many new lines may exist which aren't shown, and planned lines may have completely changed or already been constructed.

The data that comes from World Bank project archives has been digitized from PDF maps. This means that these lines should serve as an indication of extent and general location, but shouldn't be used for precisely location grid lines.

The Central African Republic: Renewable power generation, billion kilowatthours: The latest value from 2023 is 0.14 billion kilowatthours, unchanged from 0.14 billion kilowatthours in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 47.46 billion kilowatthours, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for the Central African Republic from 1980 to 2023 is 0.11 billion kilowatthours. The minimum value, 0.06 billion kilowatthours, was reached in 1983 while the maximum of 0.17 billion kilowatthours was recorded in 2014.

In 2020, renewable energy investment in Africa decreased by ** percent, in comparison to the previous year. Since 2010, private and public investments in renewables in the continent have fluctuated annually but have kept an overall expanding trend. In terms of total value, investments in renewable energy in Africa amounted to *** billion U.S. dollars in 2020.