Category: Knowledge Centre Middle East and Africa

Global Hydrogen Review 2026: Report 

Global Hydrogen Review 2026: Report 

July 10, 2026 | , , , ,

The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global production and trade of hydrogen-based products. The Middle East is a major producer of hydrogen-based products, and the conflict has strongly impacted their production. The consequences of the conflict reach far beyond the Middle East as the region is a major player in global trade for hydrogen-based products. Global fertiliser markets have been particularly affected, with potential implications for the food supply chain. The short-term outlook for low-emissions hydrogen remains uncertain with large differences across regions. The pipeline of announced projects for low-emissions hydrogen production has shrunk to 27 Mt by 2030, mostly due to delays post 2030 and cancellations.

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Africa and the Energy Transition Politics: Brief

Africa and the Energy Transition Politics: Brief

May 22, 2026 | , ,

The brief analyses the three dominant transition visions currently shaping global climate negotiations: phase out, phase down, and transition away from fossil fuels; and argues that these are not solely technical climate pathways but competing political and economic visions of the future energy system. While momentum to reduce fossil fuels is growing globally, the brief highlights that the transition debate remains deeply contested over issues of equity, development, energy security, finance, and industrial transformation. The brief argues that Africa should avoid aligning rigidly with any single transition narrative.

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Climate Finance Landscape in Ethiopia: Report 

Climate Finance Landscape in Ethiopia: Report 

May 8, 2026 | , ,

Ethiopia’s climate finance has gradually increased but must rise by at least fourfold to meet identified needs. Tracked flows averaged USD 2.3 billion annually in 2022/23, equivalent to approximately 1.7% of GDP. This is an 11% increase from the annual average of USD 2.1 billion in 2020/21 but still well below the estimated USD 10.6 billion annual requirement under the NDC 3.0 (2025-2035). Ethiopia’s heavy reliance on international public sources exposes its climate agenda to the constraints of external concessional finance.

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Global Energy Review 2026: IEA Report

Global Energy Review 2026: IEA Report

April 24, 2026 | , , , , ,

Solar PV, the largest single source of growth, met more than 25% of higher demand, followed by natural gas, which contributed 17%. This was the first time on record that a modern renewable source contributed the largest share of global energy demand growth. Demand for oil, natural gas and coal all grew in 2025, but at a slower rate than in 2024. Low-emissions sources combined – solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower and other renewables – contributed nearly 60% of the growth in global demand. Coal demand in 2025 grew only modestly above 2024 levels, rising by around 0.4%.

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Türkiye Electricity Review 2026: Report

Türkiye Electricity Review 2026: Report

April 17, 2026 | , ,

In Türkiye, electricity generation has shifted rapidly over the past three years, marked by accelerated growth in solar energy and record wind installations in 2025. Wind and solar combined generated 22% of electricity, helping to limit the pressure on natural gas imports caused by drought-driven declines in hydroelectric generation. However, coal remains the largest source of electricity generation at 34%, with two-thirds of this production relying on imports. While Türkiye still lags behind many European countries in renewable energy share, it stands out with its expanding battery project pipeline.

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Global Energy Outlook 2026: Report

Global Energy Outlook 2026: Report

April 10, 2026 | , , , , ,

Electricity demand is surging. Projections for power consumption around the world have been revised upward in recent years, incorporating rising demand from data centers and the electrification of end-use sectors such as transportation. Although these trends vary across regions, they add up to a rapidly electrifying world. World coal demand has grown faster than expected. Under most scenarios, wind and solar grow to account for more than half of global electricity generation by 2050.

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Energy Shocks Remind Europe of Gas Reliance: Report

Energy Shocks Remind Europe of Gas Reliance: Report

March 27, 2026 | , , ,

The first ten days following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East have been a painful reminder of the EU’s fossil reliance. The rise in fossil prices increased the EU’s fossil import bill, which could have a knock-on effect on electricity prices. The cost of gas-fired power across Europe has increased by more than 50% due to the gas price spike since February 28. The EU paid an additional €2.5bn for fossil fuel imports in the first 10 days of the conflict.

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Sheltering from Global Oil Shocks: Report

Sheltering from Global Oil Shocks: Report

March 26, 2026 | , , , , , ,

The report details demand-side options open to households, businesses and governments to shelter themselves from today’s oil shock and relieve the strains on affordability, based on the agency’s energy security expertise as well on specific country examples. Governments can take the lead, both by setting an example and by facilitating these actions, but many can be adopted by individuals and businesses directly. Most of these options relate to consumption of road transport fuels, but they also cover fuel use for air transport, cooking and industry.

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Renewable Energy Developments in the MENA Region: Report

Renewable Energy Developments in the MENA Region: Report

February 27, 2026 | , ,

The deployment of renewable energy in the MENA region is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, driven by the competitiveness of solar and wind technologies. The region’s operational capacity has surged to 43.7 GW, with 34.5 GW coming from solar PV and 7.4 GW from wind. From a base of approximately 25 GWh in 2025, the region’s operational storage capacity is projected to expand six-fold by 2030, reaching over 156 GWh. A key driver is the fact that national grids are being prepared for large % of renewable energy over the coming years. 

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Navigating Energy Transition in Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa: Briefing

Navigating Energy Transition in Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa: Briefing

February 20, 2026 | , , , ,

Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa diverge in important ways: Brazil is a net crude oil exporter with a commodity-dependent growth model; Indonesia relies heavily on domestically produced coal but remains a major importer of oil products; and South Africa is a net importer of most fossil fuels and faces a protracted electricity crisis driven by the decline of its coal-based utility system. This briefing provides a snapshot of political economy insights relating to dynamics around energy security in Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa.

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Chad’s Energy Transition Assessment: Report

Chad’s Energy Transition Assessment: Report

January 22, 2026 | , ,

Chad’s abundance of solar, wind, and biomass resources, alongside its strategic position for regional energy integration, are strategic assets that can be leveraged to facilitate the energy transition. Nonetheless, the country faces challenges in advancing its energy transition agenda. There is a critical need for enhanced capacity building across energy stakeholders to support Chad’s aspirations. The energy governance framework needs to be strengthened and complemented by policy instruments and initiatives to foster energy transition.

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Türkiye’s Coal Subsidy Contradicts its Renewable Goals: Report

Türkiye’s Coal Subsidy Contradicts its Renewable Goals: Report

October 24, 2025 | , ,

Over the past decade, the installation cost of wind power plants has fallen by 40%, while the installation cost of solar power plants has fallen by 77%. This decline has reduced the cost of electricity generation from solar energy by 69%, making solar energy Türkiye’s cheapest source of electricity generation. Despite falling renewable costs, Türkiye has decided to provide incentives in USD for domestic coal power plants, despite their expenses being in TRY. 

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Electricity Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa: Report

Electricity Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa: Report

October 10, 2025 | , ,

As electricity demand rises and MENA’s power mix diversifies, ensuring electricity security will remain essential. Integrating more solar PV and wind requires robust and flexible power systems, modern grids, regional interconnections, and advanced management. Storage solutions, including batteries, and demand-side flexibility will be key to balancing variability, while gas-fired power will continue to support system adequacy

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Iraq’s Energy Transition Readiness: Report

Iraq’s Energy Transition Readiness: Report

September 15, 2025 | , ,

Iraq’s energy sector faces urgent challenges and also significant opportunities for renewable energy development. The country remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Its dependence on oil and gas, which represent over 98% of its energy mix, exposes it to volatile global oil markets, environmental degradation and increasing energy insecurity. Iraq is rich in solar and wind resources, but renewable energy has witnessed minimal development, and accounts for less than 2% of the total primary energy supply. 

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Investment for Southern Africa’s Critical Minerals: Paper

Investment for Southern Africa’s Critical Minerals: Paper

September 12, 2025 | , ,

This report focuses on critical minerals found in the Southern African Region (SAR) – including copper, cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, chromium, platinum group metals (PGMs) and vanadium – and analyses their value chains across 10 SAR countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It outlines practical solutions to accelerate investment in Southern Africa’s clean energy and critical minerals value chains.

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Impact on Global Policies on Africa’s Energy Transition: Report

Impact on Global Policies on Africa’s Energy Transition: Report

June 13, 2025 | , ,

The report concludes that changes and adjustments in climate policies and regulations in the US and Europe will adversely affect the funding of Africa’s clean energy projects and the continent’s energy transition. The impact of US policy changes will rapidly be felt as US public aid funding is drastically reduced, and US funding of international clean energy programmes and initiatives is stopped. In Europe, the economic, financial, political and geopolitical problems that are forcing the EU to undertake climate policy adjustments will affect the funding of Africa’s clean energy projects. The European Union continues to state its support of Africa’s clean energy transition. 

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Road Transport Electrification in Kenya: Paper

Road Transport Electrification in Kenya: Paper

May 30, 2025 | , , ,

Kenya’s transport sector is the second-greatest contributor to the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 13 percent of total emissions. Over 75 percent of Kenyans can access clean energy, so switching to electric vehicles (EVs) could help Kenya curb air pollution and reach its decarbonization goals. But far fewer than 1 percent of vehicles sold in Kenya annually are electric. This working paper analyzes the obstacles that are hampering the transition to cleaner vehicles, identifies opportunities to tackle these problems, and compares Kenya’s efforts to promote electrification with what other countries are doing.

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Offshore Wind-Based Hydrogen in Saudi Arabia: Paper

Offshore Wind-Based Hydrogen in Saudi Arabia: Paper

May 22, 2025 | , , , ,

Offshore hydrogen production from offshore wind energy is gaining global attention as an appealing solution for scaling up green hydrogen production. The techno economic feasibility of integrating offshore wind into hydrogen production has been explored in various regions, but no comprehensive study exists concerning Saudi Arabia’s offshore wind potential. This work by KAPSARC aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of producing hydrogen onshore versus offshore from wind power in the Red Sea. Via the use of a deterministic cost model, this study evaluates the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) for both configurations. The results show that offshore wind farm costs and floating foundations are the major drivers of capital expenditure (CAPEX).

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Interconnected Minigrids in Nigeria: Report 

Interconnected Minigrids in Nigeria: Report 

May 16, 2025 | , , ,

Interconnected minigrids (IMGs) are a transformative solution for improving power availability and reliability, expanding energy access, and strengthening distribution networks across Africa. By fostering collaboration between developers and utilities through a win-win-win business model, IMGs bridge the last-mile electricity gap and integrate renewable energy generation at the distribution level. In Nigeria, the first four operational IMGs have added 3 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and 3 MWh of battery storage, have retrofitted and expanded the existing distribution network, and now serve approximately 6,300 connections in urban and peri-urban areas.

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Türkiye Electricity Review 2025: EMBER

Türkiye Electricity Review 2025: EMBER

April 25, 2025 | , , , ,

In 2024, solar power in Türkiye increased by a record 39% year-on-year. This pushed solar’s share of electricity to 7.5%, up from 5.7% in 2023. Wind remained steady at 10.7%, close to the previous year’s level of 10.6%. As a result, the total share of wind and solar in electricity generation surpassed 18%. Despite an increase in electricity generation from coal (+4 TWh) in 2024, coal’s share in Türkiye’s electricity mix slightly declined from 36.9% to 35.6%. Annual electricity generation from wind and solar in 2024 was 62 TWh, above domestic coal (47 TWh) for the second year in a row.

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