The situation threatens to undermine East Africa's goal of attaining industrialisation in the early part of the 21st Century. Manufacturers in the region say that energy accounts for close to half of their total production costs.

The high cost of oil and other traditional sources of energy is intensifying the search for alternatives.

How can Africa fuel its future? What cheap and sustainable alternatives are available? Should African governments be doing more to find solutions? Do you use alternative fuels already?

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

Your comments:

Africa can fuel it's future in a sustainable way by investing in pebble bed nuclear energy to generate electricity. South Africa is already in the fore-front of this and it is the safe alternative to the traditional nuclear reactor to produce electricity. This production is the cost effective long term solution that will provide cheap and environmentally friendly energy that can meet the future demand of Africa's growing electrical requirements. Less spin and more positive action is required.
Perry Britz, London UK

The concern about possible fusil fuel dry-up in the near future is a reality that calls for strategic planning by all nations. However, this conceived fuel crisis does not leave African without alternative power supply. Perhaps African states could consider harvesting power supply from solar and wind energy sources. These avenues of power supply are both renewable and environmental friendly. Africa's climatic conditions provide huge opportunity in this regard. For this to happen, the African states should develop a framework for purposeful leadership and appropriate economic planning that is less corrupt.
Stephen Emeka Oguguom, Sydney, Australia

There's hope on how to fuel our future. Bio-organic matters will help us. If we could produce a lot of Avocados, Coconuts, palms which are raw materials for Bio-diesel. Bio-diesel will be economical and environmental friendly. When burnt it produces fewer hydro carbons, half carbon monoxide and zero sulphur when compared to petrol-diesel. So, Africa has no need to worry, plant a lot of avocado and palms.
George Gatume Waweru, Nairobi, Kenya.

Africa can fuel its future as long as they have reliable and corrupt free leaders who will lead their respective African countries to economic freedom .The reliance on black gold as a source of income generation for some African countries is tantamount to their destruction economically and politically. African countries need to focus now on other means of generating income before it's too late
Tunde Soule, Toronto Canada

I think its time Africa leaders, try to invest in the research of alternative source of power Ayo, Nigeria

I think its time Africa leaders, try to invest in the research of alternative source of power. In Nigeria everybody depends on crude oil, but when the well runs dry what will be our hope. Private investors are already using solar energy, so I think the government should also use this technology
Ayo Osho, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Based on the evidence available, the other fuel alternatives currently do not produce the same amount of energy in comparison to fossil fuels. It's imperative that governments around the world offer more tax relief on research in the areas of "alternative fuels research�. Africa has always been a reactor to world trends and events, however it is important that they take the crucial steps and initiatives to educate the Africa population on these issues.
Obi Ngoka, Watford, England

The future of fuel for the continent is hydroelectric energy and solar energy. The river in Congo could be harnessed to generate electric power. This could be done some miles from where the river empties its water into the Atlantic Ocean. Enough energy could be generated to supply the whole continent from this mighty river. Africa should also harness the Kalahari and Sahara to produce solar energy. What is required is dedicated business leadership to exploit these ideas.
Mr A. Ngwenya, London, UK

It's possible to produce electricity in Kenya from geothermal power through geysers. Geysers are essentially hot springs that becomes thermodynamically and hydrodynamic. We have active ones in the Great Rift Valley, which are not utilized. Usually, engineers try to collect heat from Geysers where the Earth's crust has trapped steam and hot water. In Kenya it can be used for Juan kali purposes geothermal energy has a major environmental benefit because it offsets air pollution that would have been produced if fossil fuels were the energy source.
Joseph at Muscoda Mau, USA

Africa has been a supplier of energy that she can not progressively utilize herself. Most of the money realized from the sale of energy by Africa end up in the west further boosting their development. Businesses in Africa fail in part due to erratic or insufficient power supply that in most countries is monopolized by the government. I believe that the moon would provide the next source of energy to the world when earth's supplies of fossil fuels run out. If Africa could not do much when the continent produced the bulk of world's energy, I wonder what happens when she has to buy her energy.
Chief Charles O Okeene, USA

Indeed it is a worrying reality that one day the fossil fuel reserves will run exhausted. African governments must consider securing alternative sources of energy. South Africa transforms coal into fuel and is now examining possibilities of processing fuel from Soya beans. Solar power could also be tested for reliable energy purposes. This way, Africa can guarantee its industrialisation in the next 50 years.
Bernard Mulish, Nairobi, Kenya

Well developed countries are having a hard time fuelling their future, and getting their governments to do something about it, so what makes people think that African governments are going to do something about it, especially when they have famines and chaos to worry about. So forgive me for being unoptimistic but I really doubt there is a solution to Africa's fuel problem
Afar, Herbaria, Somaliland