Energy transition in Africa: the top 10 best-performing countries

The energy transition, a major global challenge, is gathering pace on the African continent, where several countries are leading the way with pioneering initiatives. As fossil fuels gradually give way to renewable energies, nations such as Morocco, Namibia and Kenya are leading the way, redefining Africa's energy landscape.

Ranked 65th in the latest global energy transition rankings, Morocco stands out as the African leader in this field. This status is attributed in particular to large-scale projects such as the Noor solar complex, one of the largest in the world, which illustrates the kingdom's commitment to clean energy.

Morocco has set itself the ambitious target of achieving a 52% share of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030, with a strong emphasis on solar and wind power. To support this transition, the country has put in place an incentive-based legislative framework, attracting international investors and partners in green infrastructure projects.

Ranked 68th in the world, Namibia is emerging as a key player, thanks in particular to its exploitation of the country's vast solar resources. This focus on solar energy is helping not only to diversify energy sources, but also to strengthen energy security.

Kenya, ranked 70th, stands out for its investment in geothermal energy. In particular, the country is home to the Olkaria power plant, one of the largest geothermal infrastructures in Africa, which is playing a central role in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. Kenya is also continuing to invest in wind and solar power to further increase the share of renewables.

In addition to these three countries, other African nations are among the continent's top 10 in terms of energy transition:
- Egypt (75th): is renowned for ambitious solar projects such as the Benban solar complex.
- Gabon (83rd): undertakes reforms to exploit its hydroelectric and solar energy potential.
- South Africa (84th): despite its dependence on coal, the country is developing significant wind and solar projects.

Nations such as Angola (86th), Ethiopia (87th), Tunisia (89th) and Algeria (91st) are also making progress, although their rankings indicate major challenges ahead, particularly in terms of financing and energy efficiency.

Accelerating Africa's energy transition depends on massive investment in infrastructure, supported by government incentives and international partnerships. These partnerships not only make it possible to finance large-scale projects, but also to strengthen local capacities by sharing technologies and know-how.

Africa has invaluable natural resources for the energy transition:
- Solar: one of the highest levels of sunshine in the world.
- Wind power: favourable coastal and desert areas.
- Geothermal energy: untapped potential in several volcanic regions.

However, to realise this potential, African countries have to overcome obstacles such as a lack of infrastructure, insufficient funding and sometimes inadequate regulatory frameworks.

The progress made by leading African countries shows that a successful energy transition is possible through strong political will, targeted reforms and sustained investment. As the continent seeks to play a key role in the fight against climate change, regional cooperation and international initiatives will be essential to make Africa a key player in clean energy on a global scale.

By building on these collective efforts, Africa could not only reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, but also become an inspiring example of energy resilience and innovation.