- Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year.
Africa Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 1,335 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 0.7% on 2022. The Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy dataset for Africa from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the region's energy-related carbon emission patterns, highlighting trends in fossil fuel consumption, industrial development, and environmental performance.
Africa Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 1,208 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,335 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+10.5%), an average of +1.3% a year. The series high was 1,344 Million Tonnes in 2022 and the low 1,208 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2015) is 136 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +8.5% in 2021.
Within Africa, South Africa has the highest value in 2023 at 425 Million Tonnes, 31.8% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 425 | −0.2% | |
| 2 | Egypt | 232.1 | −1.5% |
By region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
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| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,335 | −0.7% |
| 2022Peak | 1,345 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 1,336 | +8.5% |
| 2020 | 1,231 | −6.3% |
| 2019 | 1,315 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 1,287 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 1,274 | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 1,243 | +2.9% |
| 2015 Trough | 1,209 | — |
Data definition
Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy — - Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.
The data includes CO₂ emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, construction, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions associated with industrial processes directly related to energy use, following internationally standardized carbon accounting methodologies. The indicator aggregates emissions from all energy-related sources at the national level, enabling consistent comparison of emission trends across countries and over time. Emissions are calculated using standardized fuel consumption data and internationally recognized emission factors to ensure comparability.
The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions other than carbon dioxide, such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases. It does not include CO₂ emissions from non-energy industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, land-use change, waste management, or other non-energy sectors unless specifically related to fuel combustion. The indicator excludes carbon removals through carbon capture, utilization, storage (CCUS), or natural carbon sinks such as forests. It also does not measure per capita emissions, carbon intensity, or emissions embodied in international trade. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national energy reporting practices, fuel classifications, and statistical estimation methodologies.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy — - Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset quantifies carbon dioxide emissions generated through energy production and consumption, serving as an important indicator of regional energy demand, economic activity, and progress toward emission reduction. Covering Egypt, South Africa, and the remaining countries across the continent, the dataset provides a broad assessment of Africa's energy-related carbon emissions and supports long-term analysis of regional emission trends.
Africa recorded 1,208.5 million tonnes of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2015, increasing to 1,243.0 million tonnes in 2016 and 1,273.5 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions continued to rise to 1,287.3 million tonnes in 2018 and reached 1,314.8 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, emissions declined to 1,231.4 million tonnes because of reduced industrial activity, lower transportation demand, and weaker energy consumption. As economic activity recovered, emissions increased to 1,336.2 million tonnes in 2021 and 1,344.5 million tonnes in 2022 before declining marginally to 1,335.1 million tonnes in 2023.
Overall, the dataset indicates a gradual long-term increase in energy-related carbon emissions despite the temporary decline in 2020. Rising emissions reflect continued population growth, urbanization, industrial expansion, increasing electricity demand, and sustained dependence on fossil fuels across several African economies. Although renewable energy capacity and energy efficiency initiatives have expanded in parts of the region, these developments have not fully offset growing energy demand. The dataset is valuable for evaluating regional emission performance, monitoring decarbonization progress, supporting climate and energy policy assessments, benchmarking against other global regions, forecasting future energy-sector emissions, and understanding the relationship between economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability across Africa.
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Definition- Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.
Africa Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 1,335 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 0.7% on 2022.
Africa Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 1,208 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,335 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+10.5%), an average of +1.3% a year. The series high was 1,344 Million Tonnes in 2022 and the low 1,208 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 1,344 Million Tonnes in 2022 and the lowest was 1,208 Million Tonnes in 2015.
Included: The data includes CO₂ emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, construction, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions associated with industrial processes directly related to energy use, following internationally standardized carbon accounting methodologies. The indicator aggregates emissions from all energy-related sources at the national level, enabling consistent comparison of emission trends across countries and over time. Emissions are calculated using standardized fuel consumption data and internationally recognized emission factors to ensure comparability. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions other than carbon dioxide, such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases. It does not include CO₂ emissions from non-energy industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, land-use change, waste management, or other non-energy sectors unless specifically related to fuel combustion. The indicator excludes carbon removals through carbon capture, utilization, storage (CCUS), or natural carbon sinks such as forests. It also does not measure per capita emissions, carbon intensity, or emissions embodied in international trade. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national energy reporting practices, fuel classifications, and statistical estimation methodologies.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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