Africa's coal industry is facing major challenges as renewable energies take hold. In 2024, it is at a crossroads, navigating between the need to meet the continent's growing energy needs and the pressure to transition to more sustainable, non-polluting energy sources. In 2024, several African countries, including South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana, continue to rely on coal to power their electricity grids and support their economies. More than 600 million people still have no access to electricity, and energy demand is constantly rising. In the face of this, coal remains a key resource, albeit one criticized for its high carbon content. Botswana is one of a number of African coal producers determined to continue exploiting their reserves, despite international calls to abandon this fossil fuel, described as the world's most polluting.

By Aissatou Amirah

Published: 20 September 2024

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11 Min Read

Last updated: 20 September 2024

The most striking feature of the coal industry is the almost exclusive role played by Southern Africa, and South Africa in particular. Favored by geology, this part of the continent has an abundant and cheap supply. Here, more than anywhere else, the future of mineral coal depends primarily on demand, particularly from power generation facilities.

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a persistent energy crisis. Over 600 million people still have no access to electricity, and energy demand is constantly rising. In the face of this, coal remains a key resource, albeit one criticized for its high carbon content. In 2024, several African countries, including South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana, continue to rely on coal to power their electricity grids and support their economies.