Energy Corridors in Africa: A New Approach to Development
Mondher Khanfir, a consultant in innovation and infrastructure and vice president of TABC, has unveiled the key points of a strategic report that redefines the role of energy corridors in Africa. Far from being just cables or pipes crossing borders, these infrastructures are true "development arteries," essential to the continent's industrial transformation. The report, which will be officially launched at the FITA 2026 forum on April 28 and 29, proposes a renewed approach to African energy geopolitics.
A New Perspective on Energy Corridors
This work is a continuation of a first report published in 2019 by the TABC think tank team on transport and logistics corridors, carried out in preparation for the African Continental Free Trade Area. "Between 2019 and today, many things have happened," emphasizes Mondher Khanfir, noting that Africa invests around $90 billion per year in its infrastructure, with nearly 60% dedicated to transport, logistics, and energy.
Insufficient Investment
However, these investments remain insufficient to achieve the 7% annual growth target set by the African Union's Agenda 2063. "The need for infrastructure is estimated at $140 to $150 billion according to the World Bank's official estimate," he affirms, adding that this is only "the visible part of the iceberg," without considering intangible infrastructure and associated ecosystems.
A New Analysis Framework
The report develops an original analysis model that revolutionizes the traditional approach to energy performance. "We created a taxonomic classification model, a kind of perspective on the determinants of energy performance," explains Mondher Khanfir. Beyond the cost of kilowatt-hours, access to energy, and the rate of renewable energy, the report integrates the dimension of energy intensity, defined as "the amount of electricity consumed to produce a unit of GDP value."
Justifying Energy Corridor Strategies
This approach allows for the justification of corridor strategies by benefiting the most disadvantaged nations in terms of energy capacity from a neighboring country's energy surplus, and perhaps even its technology and advantageous kilowatt-hour cost.
Three Essential Dimensions
Mondher Khanfir identifies three essential dimensions in what he calls "the theory of change." The technological dimension requires integrating technology into the continent's industrialization scheme. "Producing our own equipment is important," he affirms, emphasizing technology transfer rather than simply importing equipment.
Institutional and Infrastructure Dimensions
On an institutional level, he advocates for procurement, purchasing, and public ordering modalities that lend themselves to this type of exercise, citing public-private partnerships and innovation projects. Finally, the infrastructure dimension recognizes that infrastructure constitutes an ecosystem requiring specific governance. He takes the example of the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia, which, according to him, should have been designed from the start as a common infrastructure for all Nile countries.
The Elmed Project: A Showcase for Energy Cooperation
The Elmed underwater cable, connecting Tunisia and Italy over approximately 200 kilometers, perfectly illustrates what a successful energy corridor can be. "This is energy cooperation," insists Mondher Khanfir, highlighting that the two countries do not experience their peak consumption at the same time, allowing for mutually beneficial exchanges.
Interdependence of Energy, Food, and Ecosystems
The corridor approach must integrate what Mondher Khanfir calls the "energy-food-ecosystem nexus." He illustrates this interdependence with the example of cocoa in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, which together produce 60% of the world's cocoa. "By the end of 2025, global cocoa prices had fallen by 50%," he reports. The strategy of these countries to create a cocoa cartel was hindered by the lack of local processing industries.
Attracting Private Capital
Asked about attracting private capital, Mondher Khanfir dismisses the idea of a financial shortage. "It's not the capital that's lacking, it's the adapted financial instruments," he affirms. He recommends revisiting mixed finance and accelerating the development of green bonds.
Strategic Alignment
Strategic alignment remains crucial in his vision. "If we create energy for export, it's not good for us. We must take advantage of the extraordinary need for industrialization and urbanization in Africa to justify investments." This approach must be declined by regional blocks following the African Union's classification, whether it's North, East, West, Central, or Southern Africa.
Significant Local Potential
Africa is rich in renewable energy resources, from hydro to solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. However, Mondher Khanfir warns against the risk of "serving as the world's battery" and insists on the need to "first serve local markets."
Africa's Growth
Regarding the continent's growth, he recalls that Africa currently has a rate of 3.9%, more sustained than Latin America's 2% average and close to that of developing Asia excluding China, with 4.4%. According to him, Africa's future and the targeted 7% cannot be achieved without industry.
The Report
The report "Energy Corridors in Africa: Keys to Ecological Transition and Regional Integration" will be officially presented at the FITA 2026 forum on April 28 and 29. A specific roundtable will be dedicated to energy corridors. Mondher Khanfir describes the document as particularly rich, containing country monographs, analysis of supply and demand, and the developed taxonomy. "It's an important element not only for an investor who will find much consolidated information in a single work but also for making public policies," he concludes.
