In 2022, electricity consumption in the Central African Republic was just 27 kWh per person, compared with a global average of 3,794 kWh per person—less than 1% of that average, or roughly 140 times lower. The supplied figures show low-carbon electricity generation of approximately the same amount, indicating an overwhelmingly clean electricity supply, with fossil electricity contributing close to none at this level of rounding. However, a clean supply also needs to be sufficient: such extremely low electricity availability can constrain healthcare, refrigeration, education, communications and business activity.

Is Electricity Growing in Central African Republic?

Electricity consumption per person is not showing sustained growth relative to its historical peak. The 2022 figure was 12 kWh per person below the 2011 record of 39 kWh, a decline of about a third. Low-carbon generation per person was also below its 2014 record of 37 kWh, by roughly a quarter. The supplied low-carbon change of 9 kWh differs slightly from the 10 kWh difference between the rounded endpoints, likely reflecting rounding. These shortfalls are concerning: the country needs substantial electricity growth to expand access and support future demand, although these per-person comparisons alone do not establish whether total national generation declined.

Suggestions

To increase clean electricity generation, the Central African Republic should prioritize solar installations alongside stronger electricity networks, storage and local mini-grids, while improving and expanding its hydroelectric supply. South Africa offers a relevant African example, generating 20 TWh from solar and 12 TWh from nuclear; India’s 205 TWh of solar generation also offers lessons in deploying solar at scale. These totals illustrate successful deployment rather than directly transferable targets. Nuclear should also be considered within a long-term national or regional electricity strategy, drawing on South Africa’s experience and France’s substantial nuclear generation of 376 TWh. International partnerships, workforce training and coordinated infrastructure planning could help translate these examples into practical clean-electricity growth.

History

The supplied history shows a hydroelectric generation increase of 0.1 TWh in 2000, followed by a prolonged period without reported growth. Every listed year from 2001 through 2018 recorded zero change, as did 2022; figures for 2019–2021 are not provided. These rounded annual changes suggest a largely stagnant hydroelectric supply rather than sustained expansion, though they may conceal smaller fluctuations. After the initial increase, this long absence of reported gains is disappointing given the country’s exceptionally low electricity consumption and substantial need for more clean electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade