Africa-Press – Liberia. Africa’s chronic energy deficit is deepening, with nearly 600 million people still lacking access to electricity while the continent receives only $2.5 billion of the $15 billion required annually to close the gap, the Africa Energy Chamber (AEC) has warned.
The AEC said despite rapid population growth and rising demand, electrification efforts are failing to keep pace.
Africa accounts for 20 percent of the world’s population but attracts just two percent of global clean‐energy investment, leaving sub‐Saharan Africa home to the majority of people worldwide without power.
Executive chairman NJ Ayuk said “closing the supply gap is, therefore, not just a social imperative, but a continent-wide revenue opportunity for investors.”
“Energy poverty is not just a challenge – it is Africa’s greatest investment opportunity… The companies and investors that choose to partner with Africa now will not only generate long-term returns, but help power industries, create jobs and define the next era of global energy,” Ayuk said.
He said large‐scale projects already underway illustrate the potential.
Mozambique’s $20 billion LNG development, one of Africa’s biggest investments, is expected to anchor long‐term domestic and export energy supply later this decade.
Analysts argue that responsibly developed gas resources could play a decisive role in powering homes and industries while contributing minimally to global emissions.
The issue will dominate discussions at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town in October where policymakers and financiers are expected to push for accelerated investment in upstream, LNG, gas‐to‐power and renewable projects aimed at ending energy poverty.
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