Africa is regaining momentum in its efforts to bridge the energy divide as new government strategies and laws take root across the continent, according to the authors of the newly released report. While record numbers of people now live in countries with active plans for power and clean cooking, recent global supply disruptions are creating new financial strains that could hamper this progress.
“Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the majority of this renewed activity, with countries home to 70% of African people living without electricity access and 90% of those without clean cooking adopting new energy access policies over the past year.” Furthermore, “Progress has been strongest in Africa, where three-quarters of people without clean cooking access live in countries that recorded positive policy progress in 2025.”
In simpler terms, the vast majority of people in Africa who still lack basic power or modern stoves now live in countries that have passed official laws and plans to help solve these problems. These governments are using tools like tax breaks and national roadmaps to make energy more affordable and easier to get. However, because many families rely on imported fuels for cooking, sudden price hikes caused by international conflicts can quickly undo these gains and force people to return to using unhealthy traditional fuels like wood or charcoal.
The report “State of Energy Policy 2026” was published by the International Energy Agency in France in April 2026. It was prepared by the World Energy Outlook team under the direction of Laura Cozzi, the IEA’s Chief Energy Modeller.
