**2. Energy status and challenges in Africa**

Energies in Africa change, but not uniformly. Although new oil and gas discoveries are now accompanying the expansion of renewable energy generation, yet Africa as a whole is straightly above Germany as a country in electricity generation and consumption [6, 7]. The mean energy consumption per capita in most African countries is well below the world average and is equivalent to that of India. Biomass energy is currently Africa's most important source of energy, supplying 47.2% of primary energy demand and more than half of total energy consumption [8]. In 2017, Africa had a total primary energy supply (TPES) of 1,148,475 Mtoe in which biomass, oil, natural gas, and coal contributed 37.93, 37.99, 15.3, and 12.7%, respectively [7]. Of all the energy available, Africa imported 184,768 Mtoe (16%). Transportation, household, and industrial consumers, share were about 70.1, 8.9, and 8.5%, respectively [7]. This indicates that transportation consumes a large percentage of energy, with 29,461 Mtoe imported. Furthermore, in 2017, electricity that was available for use was 1.71% of TPES, which amounted to 1,058.74 TWh from thermal conversion of biomass, natural gas, and coal at 78.55%. It was noted also in the same year, the total energy supplied was 928.051 Mtoe, which is equivalent to 123.75% energy dependency. The energy consumed was sourced from biomass, crude oil and natural gas at percentage shares of 47, 11.3, and 13, respectively.

There has been an increase in electrical energy consumption worldwide from 10,897.94 to 24,738.92 TWh from 1990 to 2018, while Africa increased from 286.04 to 722.84TWh in the same period [9]. Global primary consumption for the same period increased from 83,830 to 123,695 TWh, meaning the electricity consumption share changed from 13–20%. This increase has been attributed to the development and an increase in population. This means that the increase in electricity in the energy mix in Africa should be increased. In 2017, the electricity share was only 9% [7], meaning electricity consumption is below the global average. Globally, energy comes from a range of sources, ranging from biomass, nuclear, fossil, and other renewables. The main source of energy has been fossil fuels.

Biomass has emerged as a viable and sustainable renewable energy source, with an 11% global contribution. According to reports, biomass provided 95% of world heat production in 2019 [2] and generated 637 TWh of electricity. Biomass also accounted for 3% of worldwide transportation energy. Domestic consumption accounts for roughly 85% of its contribution [2]. By 2030, it is estimated that 720-920 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa will rely on biomass and 2.7 billion people worldwide. According to UN Environment Programme research, 65% of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will still rely on biomass in 2050 [10]. This is the indication that biomass is the main energy source and should well be used efficiently and sustainably.
