How net energy imports compare with domestic energy use

Morocco remained a substantial net importer

Morocco’s 2024 result of 93.89% was close to the 92.43% recorded in 2019. Kenya’s figure was 22.39% in 2024 and Ethiopia’s was 10.26%. The ratios compare net imported energy with the scale of national use. Source 1

Egypt’s result changed sign before rising

Egypt recorded negative 0.52% in 2019 and negative 0.50% in 2020. The ratio became positive in 2021 at 1.30% and then rose to 26.37% in 2024. This period of net imports followed a near-balanced position in 2019 and 2020. Source 1

Nigeria and South Africa remained net exporters

Nigeria’s ratio was negative 83.08% in 2024, compared with negative 145.03% in 2019. South Africa recorded negative 13.64% in 2024. A negative ratio can go below negative 100% if net exports are larger than domestic energy use. Source 1

The measure uses energy rather than import spending

The World Bank defines net energy imports as energy use less production, expressed in oil-equivalent energy units before division by use. A country can import and export different energy products at the same time. This balance cannot establish what share of its spending went to fuel or what happened in any one fuel market. Source 2

Sources

• International Energy Agency via World Bank, net energy imports relative to energy use
• World Bank metadata, net imports and energy use definition