Mapping Africa’s energy wealth and 560 million who remain without power
Summary
Africa has large amounts of oil, natural gas, and important minerals used in electric car batteries. Many African countries produce most of the world’s cobalt and manganese, but about 560 million people in Africa still do not have electricity. The African Energy Week meeting in Cape Town focuses on investments in energy and reducing energy poverty.Key Facts
- Africa has about 125 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, making up 7.2% of the global total.
- Libya and Nigeria hold nearly 70% of Africa’s oil reserves, with Libya having 48.4 billion barrels and Nigeria 36.9 billion.
- Nigeria was the largest oil producer in Africa in 2024, producing about 23% of the continent’s oil.
- Africa had nearly 18 trillion cubic metres of proven natural gas reserves by the end of 2023. Nigeria and Algeria hold about 58% of these gas reserves.
- African countries supplied over 70% of the world’s cobalt and manganese in 2025, minerals used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces almost 70% of the world’s cobalt, with some mining done by hand under unsafe conditions.
- South Africa and Gabon together produce over 60% of the world’s manganese, and Zimbabwe is Africa’s largest lithium producer.
- About 560 million people in Africa still do not have access to electricity.
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