The Geopolitics of Energy Transition in North Africa: A Review of Shifting Dynamics and Regional Security Implications for the African Continent

This systematic review critically analyses the evolving geopolitics of the energy transition in North Africa, examining its implications for regional security across the African continent. It addresses the central tension between the region’s entrenched role as a fossil fuel exporter and its burgeoning renewable energy potential, a strategic pivot accelerated by global decarbonisation agendas. To synthesise robust evidence on these geopolitical realignments, the methodology entailed a systematic search of Scopus, Web of Science, and relevant policy databases from 2018 to 2024, using keywords including ‘North Africa’, ‘energy transition’, ‘geopolitics’, and ‘energy security’. Identified literature was screened against predefined inclusion criteria focusing on scholarly and policy analyses of energy strategy and international relations. The findings reveal a period of strategic flux, where traditional hydrocarbon partnerships are being recalibrated alongside nascent alliances centred on green hydrogen and solar exports, particularly with European states. The analysis foregrounds profound intra-African repercussions, influencing energy security, investment, and development pathways. It concludes that these dynamics could either foster greater continental energy integration or exacerbate existing inequalities. Therefore, proactive and collaborative African policy frameworks are essential to harness the transition for enhanced collective security and equitable growth.