Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s top performer in the 2025 Energy Transition Index (ETI), as the country intensifies efforts to raise $2 trillion to support its carbon reduction and net-zero targets by 2060.
According to the latest global rankings released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on June 18, Nigeria scored 54.8 points to rank 61st globally among 118 countries surveyed. More significantly, the country recorded the strongest improvement across Africa, climbing 48 places from its 2024 position.
The WEF report, developed in collaboration with global consulting firm Accenture, evaluates countries using 43 indicators grouped into three main categories—energy security, sustainability, and equity—along with five readiness factors: regulation, financing, innovation, infrastructure, and human capital.
Nigeria’s remarkable leap was attributed to recent regulatory reforms, increased investments in clean energy, and a localized, inclusive approach to energy transition, the report noted.
Following Nigeria on the continent were Tunisia (62nd globally), Namibia (64th), Mauritius (69th), Morocco (70th), Egypt (74th), South Africa (79th), Kenya (88th), Algeria (89th), and Côte d’Ivoire (90th), completing Africa’s top 10 in energy transition.
The report also highlighted growing political will and rising financial flows as key drivers of energy progress across Africa, but noted persistent challenges in several countries—such as underinvestment, weak institutions, and low energy access rates—which continue to slow overall development.
Sub-Saharan Africa posted an average score of 48.8 points, slightly behind the Middle East and North Africa’s average of 52.1.
Globally, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark retained the top spots on the index, bolstered by long-term policy consistency, robust infrastructure, and highly diversified low-carbon energy systems. Other high performers included Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Latvia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal.
According to the WEF, momentum in the global shift toward secure, equitable, and sustainable energy is accelerating. In 2025, 65% of countries improved their overall scores, and 28% showed progress across all three main performance areas.
The report observed that while advanced economies grapple with challenges like grid congestion, high energy costs, and supply chain issues, emerging regions—including parts of Asia and Europe—are gaining ground, driven by strategic reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and increased clean energy investments.
Nigeria’s rapid ascent on the ETI reflects its ongoing efforts through the Energy Transition Plan (ETP), launched in 2022, which targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. The plan also seeks to address widespread energy poverty and promote inclusive economic growth.
The ETP estimates that achieving these goals will require about $1.9 trillion in investments between now and 2060—equivalent to approximately $27.7 billion annually. Of this, $10 billion is expected from public funds, while the remaining $17.7 billion will need to come from private sector participation.
One of the plan’s core components is the scale-up of renewable energy, particularly solar power. Given Nigeria’s abundant sunlight and large underserved population, universal solar deployment is projected to cost over $400 billion.
In addition, around $135 billion is earmarked for expanding and modernizing the national grid to accommodate a mix of traditional and renewable power sources.
Another critical element of the transition is clean cooking. Currently, millions of households rely on harmful fuels such as firewood, charcoal, and kerosene. The plan aims to transition to cleaner alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and modern biomass stoves, with an estimated cost of $30 billion.
Beyond environmental impact, the clean cooking initiative is expected to deliver substantial health and social benefits, particularly for women and children exposed to indoor air pollution.
Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s energy transition underscores its commitment to balancing climate action with developmental needs, and signals growing momentum for sustainable energy reforms across the continent.
