In 2023, electricity consumption in Benin was just 130 kWh per person—about 3% of the global average of 3,794 kWh, or roughly one-thirtieth as much. Domestic low-carbon electricity generation was only about 2 kWh per person. The supplied figures do not show how the remaining electricity consumption was supplied, so they cannot establish the split between fossil-fuel electricity and imported electricity, or the sources of those imports. Such low electricity availability can constrain healthcare, refrigeration, education and business development. Expanding clean electricity supply is essential to support higher living standards and growing demand.

Is Electricity Growing in Benin?

Benin’s electricity consumption has not yet returned to its previous peak. At 130 kWh per person in 2023, it remained below the 2021 record of 136 kWh—roughly a 4% shortfall. This is a worrying lack of growth given the need for greater electricity access and electrification. Low-carbon generation, however, offers a small encouraging sign: it reached about 2 kWh per person, compared with the previous record of about 1 kWh in 2021. That increase is welcome, but the starting point remains extremely low and much faster expansion is needed.

Suggestions

Benin should prioritize solar deployment alongside stronger grids, storage and wider electricity access. South Africa, which generated 20 TWh of solar electricity, offers a relevant African example, while India’s 205 TWh demonstrates the scale achievable in a developing economy. Benin can study their approaches to project procurement, investment and grid integration, adapting them to local conditions rather than copying their scale. Wind could also contribute where measurements identify suitable resources; South Africa generated 12 TWh from wind. Nuclear should be considered as a longer-term source of dependable low-carbon electricity, including through regional cooperation. South Africa’s 12 TWh and Pakistan’s 22 TWh of nuclear generation provide useful examples for developing technical expertise, institutions and infrastructure. Together, solar, suitable wind projects and nuclear planning can support electricity growth while limiting fossil-fuel air pollution and climate impacts.

History

The historical figures show little measurable change in Benin’s low-carbon electricity generation at the precision provided. Hydropower recorded zero annual change in every listed year from 1997 through 2005, while biofuels showed zero change from 2006 through 2009. The later entries similarly record no change for hydropower in 2015–2017 and for solar in 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. These zero changes do not necessarily mean there was no generation or no small increase: changes can disappear when rounded to whole TWh, especially in a small electricity system. Nevertheless, the record provides no evidence of substantial expansion, underscoring the need to turn today’s very small clean-electricity base into sustained growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade