World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
Africa's energy wealth contrasts with 560 million people without electricity
Africa has major oil, gas and mineral resources, including materials used in batteries and renewable-energy technologies.
About 560 million people on the continent still lack electricity, even as energy ministers, investors and oil executives meet in Cape Town for African Energy Week.
The conference runs until October 16 and focuses on investment in oil and gas, energy finance and reducing energy poverty.
Libya and Nigeria hold nearly 70 percent of Africa's proven oil reserves, while Nigeria and Algeria hold about 58 percent of its proven natural gas reserves.
African countries produced more than 70 percent of the world's cobalt and manganese in 2025, minerals used in batteries and other technologies.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo supplies nearly 70 percent of global cobalt, and some miners there work in dangerous conditions.
The conference is focused on investment and ending energy poverty; the available information does not specify further outcomes.
Africa holds about 125 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and almost 18 trillion cubic metres of proven natural gas reserves.
African countries produced 71.2 percent of the world’s cobalt and 72.4 percent of its manganese in 2025.
Despite these energy and mineral resources, 560 million people in Africa remain without electricity.
Energy ministers, investors and oil executives are meeting in Cape Town for African Energy Week.
The conference focuses on investment in oil and gas, energy finance and ending energy poverty.
- Who
- 560 million people in Africa remain without electricity; energy ministers, investors and oil executives are meeting in Cape Town.
- What
- Africa’s energy and mineral wealth contrasts with widespread lack of electricity access.
- When
- African Energy Week runs until October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Cape Town, South Africa; the story covers Africa.
- Why
- The conference focuses on investment in oil and gas, energy finance and ending energy poverty.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- People without electricity
- 560 million
- Proven crude oil reserves
- About 125 billion barrels
- Proven natural gas reserves
- Almost 18 trillion cubic metres at the end of 2023
- Cobalt production
- African countries accounted for 71.2% of global production in 2025
- Manganese production
- African countries accounted for 72.4% of global production in 2025
- African Energy Week
- Cape Town; runs until October 16
Sources
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