Algeria has emerged as one of the few African countries to achieve near-universal access to electricity and natural gas, supported by strong public policies and a well-developed energy infrastructure, according to a report by the African Energy Commission (AFREC).
The findings, published by the African Union energy agency as part of its assessment of progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7, highlight Algeria’s ability to sustain almost 100% energy access despite steady population growth.
AFREC said Algeria’s extensive energy supply chain, combined with long-standing public subsidies, has enabled new households to connect seamlessly to modern electricity and gas services.
The report described access to electricity and natural gas as central to Algeria’s economic growth, improved living standards and broader sustainable development objectives.
Within North Africa, Algeria stands out with nearly full electricity coverage and more than 90% access to clean cooking, driven by efficient distribution networks and structured subsidy programmes.
AFREC acknowledged Algeria’s advances in renewable energy deployment, while noting ongoing challenges in scaling up renewables and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
At the continental level, Africa’s electrification rate has reached 61%, but around 563 million people mainly in rural and peri-urban areas still lack access to electricity.
The report said access to clean cooking remains a major hurdle, with only 35% of Africans using clean technologies and more than 940 million relying on polluting fuels.
AFREC identified limited access to financing as a key barrier to achieving universal, sustainable energy across the continent.
It estimated Africa needs about $50 billion annually to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, urging stronger public-private partnerships to close the funding gap.