Investments in fossil fuels are declining across the world, but many African nations are keen to exploit their natural resources. Tough choices face policymakers as they weigh up economic benefits and environmental costs.

Neil Ford examines the outlook for African energy in our special report. The world is in the middle of a profound energy transition. A global energy sector dominated by hydrocarbons is in the process of a wholesale shift to renewable energy, including solar, wind and hydrogen power. Tackling climate change has long demanded a complete transition and now the falling cost of renewables is making it easier to achieve.

But the transition presents huge challenges for the African continent, both in terms of technological adoption and cost.
Read more about the challenges for Africa in the energy transition
Most electricity on the continent is currently produced by hydro schemes and thermal plants: gas in many coastal areas, including North Africa; coal in South Africa in particular; and older, generally smaller oil fuel plants almost everywhere.

Gas produces roughly half the greenhouse gas emissions of coal, so is seen as a bridging fuel in the transition from hydrocarbons to renewables. Egypt, Algeria and Tanzania rely heavily on gas, while Mozambique and Nigeria have the biggest gas reserves in sub-Saharan Africa but have struggled to maximise their gas potential because of insecurity.
Read more about security problems for Africa's oil and gas producers.
Yet one thing is clear: the current power supply is inadequate across the African continent as a whole. According to International Energy Association figures, more than 590m people are still without access to electricity in Africa.
Explore the debate around Africa's energy future
Opinion turns against coal

Although global coal consumption remains high, global opinion has firmly turned against the most polluting form of power generation. The South African government remains reluctant to wind down coal production given its plentiful reserves, a large industry and a power generation mix dominated by coal.

Under its 2019 Integrated Resource Plan, South Africa intends to build another 1,500 MW of coal capacity but the pressure for it to abandon the proposal is growing. The country is the 12th biggest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, although it is ranked 38th in per capita terms.
Read more about the challenges for Africa in relinquishing coal

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