Appraisal of current energy situation and future prospects in Africa

Abstract

The important role played by energy resources in the prosperity and economic development of a country is universally recognized, the development and use of energy resources being an integral part of the development process of any economy, be it a developing or a developed one. At the individual level, practically all human needs and activities depend on energy, either directly, e.g. for transport and heating, or indirectly, e.g. when energy is necessary for obtaining and converting into finished products the material resources which are essential to any human activity. Energy availability, development, supply and use are therefore questions of crucial importance to any country.