620 million, 4%, 10 terawatts: The numbers behind Africa's energy problem and potential

The document highlights the severe energy deficit in Africa, where 620 million people lack reliable electricity, and advocates for international partnerships to exploit the continent's untapped renewable resources, including 10 terawatts of solar potential, to foster job creation and economic growth.

• Africa faces a significant energy gap, with the African Development Bank estimating that approximately 620 million people lack access to reliable electricity. Despite representing 13% of the global population, the continent accounts for only 4% of global energy demand.
• The continent possesses immense untapped renewable energy reserves, including 10 terawatts of solar energy, 350 gigawatts of hydroelectric power, 110 gigawatts of wind power, and 15 gigawatts of geothermal energy, according to a 2015 McKinsey & Company report.
• Infrastructure projects are already demonstrating the impact of increased energy capacity, such as the Kaleta hydroelectric dam in Guinea, which improved power availability for businesses from six hours a day to up to 24 hours.
• Regional integration is being pursued through initiatives like a groundbreaking electricity interconnector in West Africa designed to export power from Côte d’Ivoire to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

APA

Condé, A. (2017). 620 million, 4%, 10 terawatts: The numbers behind Africa's energy problem and potential. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/geographies-in-depth/620-million-4-10-terawatts-the-numbers-behind-africas-energy-problem-and-potential/

Chicago

Condé, Alpha. 620 million, 4%, 10 terawatts: The numbers behind Africa's energy problem and potential. World Economic Forum, 2017. https://www.weforum.org/stories/geographies-in-depth/620-million-4-10-terawatts-the-numbers-behind-africas-energy-problem-and-potential/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Condé |first1=Alpha |title=620 million, 4%, 10 terawatts: The numbers behind Africa's energy problem and potential |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=15 February 2017 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/geographies-in-depth/620-million-4-10-terawatts-the-numbers-behind-africas-energy-problem-and-potential/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{cond2017620, author = {Condé, Alpha}, title = {{620 million, 4\%, 10 terawatts: The numbers behind Africa's energy problem and potential}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2017}, month = feb, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/geographies-in-depth/620-million-4-10-terawatts-the-numbers-behind-africas-energy-problem-and-potential/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }