UN Environment and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have recently released an Atlas describing Africa’s energy potential and opportunities for investment to meet its energy needs at the World Economic Forum on Africa being held in Durban, South Africa.
The ‘Atlas of Africa Energy Resources’ examines the challenges and opportunities in providing Africa’s population with access to reliable, affordable and modern energy services, and advocates for investments in green energy infrastructure to enhance economic development and help the continent achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Energy consumption in Africa is the lowest in the world, and per capita consumption has barely changed since 2000. Current energy production in Africa is insufficient to meet demand. About a third of the total African population still lacks access to electricity and 53% of the population depends on biomass for cooking, space heating, and drying.
Prepared in cooperation with the Environment Pulse Institute, United States Geological Survey and George Mason University, the Atlas consolidates the information on the energy landscape in Africa. It provides information in the form of detailed ‘before and after’ images, charts, maps and other satellite data from 54 countries through visuals detailing the challenges and opportunities in providing Africa’s population with access to reliable, affordable and modern energy services.
Main findings and key concerns in the Atlas:
The Atlas of Africa Energy Resources features over 64 maps and 73 satellite images as well as some 50 graphics and hundreds of compelling photos. The Atlas makes a major contribution to the state of knowledge on energy sector in Africa by highlighting the opportunities and challenges for sustainable development of the energy resources on the continent.
The Atlas aims to facilitate access to information and energy data for all actors, including donors, African governments, and the private sector.
All the materials in the Atlas are non-copyrighted and available for free use, as long as the Atlas is acknowledged as the source.
Access the Atlas here.
All images from the atlas including individual satellite images and other graphics can be downloaded from www.unep.org and www.enviropulse.org