Higher over the period
Africa Primary Energy Consumption moved from 18.16 Exajoules in 2015 to 20.87 Exajoules in 2023 (+14.9%), an average of +1.8% a year. The series high was 20.95 Exajoules in 2022 and the low 18.16 Exajoules in 2015.
What Africa Primary Energy Consumption shows
Africa Primary Energy Consumption was 20.87 Exajoules in 2023, down 0.4% on 2022. The Africa regional primary energy consumption over the 2015–2023 period reflects a developing and evolving energy market, highlighting overall energy demand patterns, consumption growth, and long-term changes across the region.
A 13.3% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2015) is 2.79 Exajoules. The sharpest single-year move was +8.4% in 2021.
South Africa leads the region
Within Africa, South Africa has the highest value in 2023 at 4.85 Exajoules, 23.2% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Primary Energy Consumption by country, 2023
Exajoules. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Exajoules↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 4.85 | −0.4% | |
| 2 | Egypt | 3.94 | −1% |
By region
Primary Energy Consumption by region
Exajoules, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Africa Primary Energy Consumption by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Exajoules.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Exajoules | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20.87 | −0.4% |
| 2022Peak | 20.95 | +1% |
| 2021 | 20.75 | +8.4% |
| 2020 | 19.14 | −5.2% |
| 2019 | 20.20 | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 19.77 | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 19.29 | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 18.67 | +2.8% |
| 2015 Trough | 18.16 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries.
The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
About this indicator
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
Measured in Exajoules (EJ), the dataset represents the total primary energy consumed across Africa, including Egypt, South Africa, and remaining African countries, providing insights into energy utilization, economic development, and infrastructure expansion.
Africa recorded primary energy consumption of 18.16 EJ in 2015, increasing to 18.67 EJ in 2016 and 19.29 EJ in 2017. Consumption continued rising to 19.77 EJ in 2018 and reached 20.20 EJ in 2019. In 2020, regional consumption declined to 19.14 EJ due to reduced economic activity and changing energy demand conditions. The region recovered in 2021, reaching 20.75 EJ, followed by a slight increase to 20.95 EJ in 2022. In 2023, Africa recorded primary energy consumption of 20.87 EJ, maintaining a high level of regional energy demand.
Egypt contributed significantly to Africa’s energy consumption, increasing from 3.51 EJ in 2015 to 3.94 EJ in 2023. South Africa showed a relatively stable trend, moving from 5.10 EJ in 2015 to 4.85 EJ in 2023, with fluctuations throughout the period. Remaining African countries recorded strong growth, increasing from 9.55 EJ in 2015 to 12.08 EJ in 2023, reflecting expanding energy requirements.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates gradual growth in Africa’s primary energy consumption, driven by population growth, urbanization, industrial expansion, and increasing infrastructure needs. The temporary decline in 2020 was followed by recovery, indicating continued development of the regional energy system.
The dataset supports energy analysis, comparative studies, policy evaluation, and investment planning. It provides valuable insights into consumption trends, infrastructure development, energy demand growth, and future opportunities for improving efficiency and supporting sustainable energy transformation across Africa.
- Indicator
- Primary Energy Consumption
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Exajoules
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Primary Energy Consumption?
Definition- Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
What was Africa Primary Energy Consumption in 2023?
Africa Primary Energy Consumption was 20.87 Exajoules in 2023, down 0.4% on 2022.
How has Africa Primary Energy Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?
Africa Primary Energy Consumption moved from 18.16 Exajoules in 2015 to 20.87 Exajoules in 2023 (+14.9%), an average of +1.8% a year. The series high was 20.95 Exajoules in 2022 and the low 18.16 Exajoules in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Primary Energy Consumption?
The highest value was 20.95 Exajoules in 2022 and the lowest was 18.16 Exajoules in 2015.
What does the Africa Primary Energy Consumption data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries. Excluded: The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
Where does the Africa Primary Energy Consumption data come from?
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 Exajoules.
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