Electric power consumption (kWh per capita) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Electric power consumption (kWh per capita) was 380.15 kWh per capita in 2024. ▼ Falling
Electric power consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–2024
Source: IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA). Measured in kWh per capita.
Analysis
The most recent figure for electric power consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa is 380.15 kWh per capita, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.8% on the previous year and down 12.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, electric power consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 482.56 kWh per capita in 1997 and was at its lowest, 377.19 kWh per capita, in 2023.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 34th of 43 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Electric power consumption (kWh per capita) in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | kWh per capita | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 448.46 kWh per capita | — |
| 1991 | 441.6 kWh per capita | -1.5% |
| 1992 | 428.92 kWh per capita | -2.9% |
| 1993 | 425.52 kWh per capita | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 428.2 kWh per capita | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 436.62 kWh per capita | +2.0% |
| 1996 | 477.34 kWh per capita | +9.3% |
| 1997 | 482.56 kWh per capita | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 456.64 kWh per capita | -5.4% |
| 1999 | 447.7 kWh per capita | -2.0% |
| 2000 | 449.36 kWh per capita | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 431.01 kWh per capita | -4.1% |
| 2002 | 449.6 kWh per capita | +4.3% |
| 2003 | 447.07 kWh per capita | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 452.98 kWh per capita | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 453.67 kWh per capita | +0.2% |
| 2006 | 458.95 kWh per capita | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 463.14 kWh per capita | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 443.44 kWh per capita | -4.3% |
| 2009 | 423.54 kWh per capita | -4.5% |
| 2010 | 439.46 kWh per capita | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 440.97 kWh per capita | +0.3% |
| 2012 | 436.94 kWh per capita | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 435.09 kWh per capita | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 433.76 kWh per capita | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 427.85 kWh per capita | -1.4% |
| 2016 | 420.71 kWh per capita | -1.7% |
| 2017 | 414.42 kWh per capita | -1.5% |
| 2018 | 416.33 kWh per capita | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 407.87 kWh per capita | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 388 kWh per capita | -4.9% |
| 2021 | 391.89 kWh per capita | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 386.13 kWh per capita | -1.5% |
| 2023 | 377.19 kWh per capita | -2.3% |
| 2024 | 380.15 kWh per capita | +0.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 447.36 kWh per capita | 425.52 kWh per capita | 482.56 kWh per capita | 10 |
| 2000s | 447.28 kWh per capita | 423.54 kWh per capita | 463.14 kWh per capita | 10 |
| 2010s | 427.34 kWh per capita | 407.87 kWh per capita | 440.97 kWh per capita | 10 |
| 2020s | 384.68 kWh per capita | 377.19 kWh per capita | 391.89 kWh per capita | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More energy & mining data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Fuel imports 23.5% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 2.0% (2024)
- Fuel exports 40.9% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 14.2% (2025)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 13.4% (2023)
- Alternative and nuclear energy 4.0% (2024)
- Combustible renewables and waste 56.6% (2024)
- Mineral rents 2.9% (2021)
- Natural gas rents 0.5% (2021)
- Total natural resources rents 10.0% (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is electric power consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Electric power consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa was 380.15 kWh per capita in 2024, according to IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA).
- What is the highest electric power consumption recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 482.56 kWh per capita in 1997.
- What is the lowest electric power consumption recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 377.19 kWh per capita in 2023.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for electric power consumption?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 34th out of 43 groups with data for 2024.
- Is electric power consumption rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA), published as part of Electric power consumption (kWh per capita). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Electric power consumption measures the production of power plants and combined heat and power plants less transmission, distribution, and transformation losses and own use by heat and power plants.