Increasing energy investment in Africa is vital for the continent’s sustainable economic growth

Meeting growing energy demand in Africa requires a surge of spending on clean energy projects, with swift action to tackle financial barriers so investment can reach the levels that are needed, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The report, Clean Energy Investment for Development in Africa, supports a flagship initiative launched today by Italy’s G7 Presidency at the Leaders’ Summit in Apulia. Called Energy for Growth in Africa, it aims to help foster a strong pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in Africa and to improve access to financing so the projects can come to fruition, with an emphasis on technical assistance and capacity building.

The IEA will be the initiative’s key knowledge partner, working alongside the United Nations Development Programme, which will focus on implementation. Energy for Growth in Africa – which will complement existing initiatives among G7 members, including the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), Global Gateway, and Just Energy Transition Partnerships – will initially collaborate with the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa.

Clean Energy Investment for Development in Africa lays out the opportunities and challenges of accelerating the sustainable development of Africa’s energy infrastructure. Despite the continent’s immense energy resources, it currently attracts only around 3% of global spending on energy. About 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, and more than 1 billion cook their meals over open fires and traditional stoves using wood, charcoal, kerosene, coal or animal waste.

According to the report, meeting Africa’s rising energy needs, as well as the energy access, climate and development goals set by governments in the region, requires annual energy investment to more than double to over $240 billion by 2030, with around three-quarters going to clean energy. The report outlines key target areas for investment, including energy access, the power sector and emerging industries, such as critical minerals and the manufacturing of clean energy technologies.

It also highlights strategies to boost financing for energy investments in Africa, which remains difficult due to higher perceived risks and elevated borrowing costs compared with other parts of the world. In emerging and developing economies, the cost of capital can be two to three times higher than in advanced economies. The report emphasises that concessional finance is therefore key, especially to unleash more funding from the private sector. Africa’s energy systems require, on average, $30 billion in concessional finance annually to 2030 to help realise the three-fold increase in private sector investment needed over the same period, according to the IEA analysis.

“The lack of energy access in Africa is a great injustice, but increased spending on impactful projects could quickly turn the tide,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said. “Our new report outlines the immediate investment priorities and the financing mechanisms needed to rapidly make these projects a reality. We are pleased this issue is high on the G7 agenda and stand ready to work closely with our partners in Africa and beyond to turn promises into action, including through the G7’s Energy for Growth in Africa initiative.”

The IEA has been working on energy and climate issues in Africa for decades. It now has five Association countries in Africa – Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa – and collaborates with many more on a wide range of energy issues. In May, the IEA and its partners hosted the first ever high-level Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, mobilising $2.2 billion in financial pledges from governments and the private sector in an effort to make 2024 a turning point on clean cooking access.