African countries will rely heavily on fossils fuels like natural gas in the energy transition amid fears that security of energy supply may be threatened amid lackluster financing and pressure from developing countries to fast-track their transformation. Although the 55 African countries account for only 4% of the world’s total emissions, they are being asked to implement energy transition policies while most countries have low access to electricity. Nearly 40% of global new gas discoveries in the last decade were in Africa, mainly Senegal, Mauritania, Mozambique, Tanzania, with 17 countries producing gas, seven net exporters and seven net importers, according to the African Energy Commission. However, over 45% of African natural gas production is exported and the contribution of gas in energy balance is “minimal.”
Energy emissions in Africa are 1 ton of CO2 per capita, compared to a world average of 4.4 tons of CO2 per capita in 2019, based on International Energy Agency figures. While 90% of the global population has access to electricity, in sub-Saharan Africa only around 48% enjoyed such access in 2019, according to IEA figures. Africa is also a low consumer of oil products and needs investments in the energy sector, particularly in refining, to address the lack of power and energy infrastructure. While Africa produces about 10 million b/d of crude oil, around 80% is exported. In terms of electricity, Africa is using or depending on fossil fuels for power generation.