- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Africa Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 1.1% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Africa from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the region's greenhouse gas emission landscape, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns over the observed period.
Africa Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 1,627 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+9.9%), an average of +1.2% a year. The series high was 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 1,627 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 161.2 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +9.3% in 2021.
Within Africa, South Africa has the highest value in 2023 at 478.1 Million Tonnes, 26.7% 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 | 478.1 | +3.6% | |
| 2 | Egypt | 279.3 | −1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 1,788 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 1,770 | −0.6% |
| 2021 | 1,780 | +9.3% |
| 2020 | 1,629 | −7.9% |
| 2019 | 1,770 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 1,733 | +1.5% |
| 2017 | 1,707 | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 1,659 | +2% |
| 2015 Trough | 1,627 | — |
Data definition
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time.
The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it an important indicator of environmental performance, industrial development, energy demand, and progress toward climate objectives.
Africa's total energy and process greenhouse gas emissions increased from 1,627.1 million tonnes in 2015 to 1,659.0 million tonnes in 2016, reaching 1,707.4 million tonnes in 2017, 1,733.2 million tonnes in 2018, and 1,769.5 million tonnes in 2019. Regional emissions declined to 1,629.2 million tonnes in 2020 as industrial activity and energy demand weakened, before recovering to 1,780.3 million tonnes in 2021, easing slightly to 1,769.6 million tonnes in 2022, and rising to 1,788.3 million tonnes in 2023, the highest level during the review period. Egypt recorded emissions of 253.1 million tonnes in 2015, declining to 236.1 million tonnes in 2020 before recovering to 279.3 million tonnes in 2023. South Africa remained the region's largest contributor, with emissions fluctuating from 494.2 million tonnes in 2015 to 478.1 million tonnes in 2023. The remaining African countries collectively increased emissions from 879.8 million tonnes in 2015 to 1,030.9 million tonnes in 2023, reflecting expanding energy use and industrial activity across the continent.
Overall, the dataset highlights a gradual long-term increase in Africa's greenhouse gas emissions despite the temporary decline in 2020. It provides valuable insights for monitoring regional emission performance, assessing decarbonization progress, supporting sustainability assessments, enabling regional comparisons, and informing policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in developing effective climate and emission reduction strategies.
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Definition- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Africa Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 1.1% on 2022.
Africa Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 1,627 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+9.9%), an average of +1.2% a year. The series high was 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 1,627 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 1,788 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 1,627 Million Tonnes in 2015.
Included: The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
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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