Mapping Africa’s energy wealth and 560 million who remain without power - Al Jazeera
Despite holding significant oil, gas, and mineral reserves, much of Africa continues to face severe energy poverty. An ongoing energy conference in Cape Town is addressing these infrastructure gaps and investment opportunities.
Why it matters
Understanding Africa's energy landscape is crucial for global supply chains, particularly regarding critical minerals for the green energy transition.
Africa is rich in energy, yet hundreds of millions Africans still live without electricity, most of the world’s total.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A satellite rendering of Africa at night, showing country borders. [Planet Observer/Universal Images Group via Getty Images] By Mohamed Hussein Published On 13 Oct 2026 13 Oct 2026 Africa holds billions of barrels of oil, trillions of cubic metres of gas and produces most of the world’s cobalt and manganese for electric car batteries.
This week, energy ministers, investors and oil executives are meeting in Cape Town for African Energy Week, which runs until October 16. The conference focuses on investment in oil and gas, energy finance and ending energy poverty.
In this visual explainer, Al Jazeera maps where Africa’s oil, gas and critical minerals are found, how its electricity is generated and who still goes without it.
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