Kenya Leads the Charge: Geothermal Energy Poised to Power Africa’s Future
NAIROBI, Kenya – October 13, 2025 – While solar and hydropower often dominate the renewable energy conversation, a quiet revolution is underway in Africa, powered by the Earth’s own heat. Kenya’s success with geothermal energy is demonstrating its potential to not only rapidly expand electricity access across the continent, but also drive economic integration and unlock valuable mineral resources, according to a recent analysis by Mugwe Manga.
Just over a decade ago, in 2013, only 37% of Kenyans had access to electricity. Today, that number has surged to 76-80%, a transformation significantly fueled by geothermal growth. And this is just the beginning. Kenya has currently tapped less than a tenth of its vast geothermal potential. State-backed utility KenGen aims to reach 1 gigawatt of installed geothermal capacity by 2026, with ambitions to become one of the world’s top three geothermal producers by 2030.
But the benefits extend far beyond electricity generation. Geothermal reservoirs offer a stable heat source for industries like horticulture, aquaculture, and food processing.Oserian flower farms in Kenya already utilize geothermal steam in their greenhouses, ensuring consistent, high-quality blooms. Importantly, these direct-use applications don’t require the ultra-hot reservoirs found deep underground; more accessible, moderate-temperature reservoirs are sufficient.
Furthermore, geothermal brines – a byproduct of electricity generation – are rich in critical minerals like lithium (essential for batteries) and rare-earth elements (used in electronics). Extracting and exporting these minerals could provide African nations with a significant economic boost as the world transitions to green technologies.
Geothermal energy is also poised to strengthen regional economic ties. Existing “power pools” coordinating electricity generation and transmission across borders are laying the groundwork for a more cohesive African energy market. The stability and widespread availability of geothermal could accelerate this process, supporting the African Union’s vision of a unified African Single Electricity Market.
Despite its potential,geothermal development faces challenges. The exploration and installation process is lengthy and requires substantial,risk-tolerant investment – a hurdle when compared to the quicker returns and greater visibility of projects like dams and solar farms,which often attract more donor funding and political attention.
However, a long-term perspective reveals geothermal’s undeniable value. It can stabilize electricity grids, enabling greater integration of other renewable sources. It can decarbonize industries,from food processing to textiles. It can elevate Africa’s position in global supply chains through mineral production. And it can foster a truly integrated African electricity market, improving energy access, reliability, and affordability for millions across the continent.
