Angola ranks among the countries with the lowest electricity prices globally, following Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya in Africa, according to global statistics.
As of December 2023, Angolan households paid an average of 11.83 kwanzas, equivalent to $0.013 per kWh.
This contrasts sharply with the global average price of $0.157 per kWh (13.7 kwanzas). Despite significant investments in the energy sector and notable advances in some provinces, the country has yet to achieve desired outcomes due to insufficient returns.
Electricity prices vary by region and even within countries, influenced by factors such as infrastructure, geographic location, and taxation.
For instance, in 2023, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium had some of the highest electricity prices worldwide, with households paying approximately $0.47 (412.1 kwanzas) per kWh in Ireland and $0.45 (394.6 kwanzas) in Italy. In comparison, residents of the United States paid nearly three times less.
In the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Angola holds the distinction of the lowest electricity tariff, averaging around 11.1 kwanzas per kWh, well below the regional average of 89.1 kwanzas per kWh.
In 2023, Cape Verde recorded the highest electricity prices for households in Africa, with a kilowatt-hour costing approximately $0.31 (about 271.8 kwanzas).
Other countries like Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Rwanda also faced high prices, charging consumers around $0.22 per kWh (192.9 kwanzas).
Despite these statistics, a significant portion of the African population still lacks access to electricity. While nearly the entire population of North Africa has electricity access, other regions struggled in 2021, with West, Southern, and East Africa reporting over 50% electrification, and Central Africa only at 31%.
A survey highlighted that Mauritius and Seychelles lead the continent in terms of reliable electricity supply.
