How hydropower’s share of electricity generation changed in Central Africa

Hydropower dominated reported generation in two countries

DR Congo recorded 99.61% and the Central African Republic 96.18% in 2021. Cameroon recorded 70.05%, while Gabon had 43.90% and the Republic of the Congo 29.09%. Chad’s recorded share was zero. These figures compare a generation source within each country. Source 1

The Republic of the Congo’s mix changed substantially

Its hydropower share fell from 54.72% in 2010 to 29.09% in 2021. It rose to 36.01% in 2023 and fell back to 31.44% in 2024. A falling share can reflect a decline in hydro generation, growth in other sources or both. Source 1

Cameroon’s share rebounded after the mid-2010s

Cameroon’s hydro share was 72.22% in 2010, fell to 54.66% in 2015 and reached 85.31% in 2024. Gabon’s 2024 share was 43.98%. Those later readings are useful country records, although Chad and the Central African Republic stop at 2021 in the same source. Source 1

The share describes production inside the country

The IEA measure divides electricity from hydropower plants by all electricity produced in the economy. It gives no measure of installed capacity, total generation in kilowatt-hours, net imports or household electricity access. Those quantities need separate records. Source 2

Sources

• International Energy Agency via World Bank, hydropower share of generation
• World Bank metadata, hydropower and electricity generation scope