Sub-Saharan Africa leads the way in global energy transition efforts: WEF

SUB-SAHARAN Africa recorded the strongest gains of any region in the world’s energy transition efforts, offering a rare bright spot in an increasingly fragmented global energy landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and slowing progress, according to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2026.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

The 2026 Energy Transition Index, which tracks 120 countries across 44 indicators, found that transition readiness fell this year, with four of five enabling dimensions declining simultaneously. The report, released on Thursday, found that while global momentum towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems has stalled, Sub-Saharan Africa has demonstrated significant progress, positioning the region as one of the most promising areas for future energy development and investment. The ETI 2026 highlighted that energy systems worldwide are facing mounting pressure as countries attempt to balance sustainability, affordability and energy security amid a volatile geopolitical environment.

Despite a record $3.3 trillion in global energy investment during 2025, including $2.3trln directed towards clean energy, the report found that readiness for the transition declined for the first time in more than a decade.

At the regional level, however, Sub-Saharan Africa stood out by recording the strongest gains among all regions assessed in the index.