MENA ETO 2026
Middle East and North Africa
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region possesses immense energy wealth, with vast hydrocarbon reserves and renewables potential. That wealth was tested directly in 2026: the conflict knocked out roughly a fifth of global LNG export capacity and pushed oil prices well above USD 100 per barrel at points during the year – the largest disruption to global oil supply on record (IEA, 2026a). Countries in the region are simultaneously seeking to diversify their energy portfolios and leverage clean energy trends, some motivated by energy security newly underlined by the war, others by economic diversification in balance with hydrocarbon investments.
This region stretches from Morocco to Iran, including Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula.
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Middle East and North Africa energy transition at a glance |
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Metric |
2026 |
2060 |
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Population |
605 million |
811 million |
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GDP* |
USD 14.8 trillion |
USD 33.4 trillion |
|
GDP/person |
USD 24,400 |
USD 41,200 |
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Primary energy use |
59 EJ |
79 EJ |
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Primary energy use/person |
97.5 GJ |
97.5 GJ |
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CO2 emissions** |
3.6 Gt |
2.9 Gt |
|
CO2 emissions/person |
6.0 tonnes |
3.5 tonnes |
*All GDP figures in the report are based on 2017 purchasing power parity and in 2023 international USD.
**Energy- and process-related CO2 emissions, after carbon capture and storage, before direct air capture.