Sub-Saharan Africa is on the verge of an energy boom. New discoveries off the East and West coasts have raised hopes of significant revenues that can accelerate poverty reduction and enhance Africa’s status as a destination for industrial investment. The question that African governments, citizens, and international partners confront is whether this time will—or can—be different. Can the harsh lessons offered by Africa’s more established producers and the continent’s previous energy booms be learned?

Sub-Saharan Africa is on the verge of an energy boom. New discoveries off the East and West coasts have raised hopes of significant revenues that can accelerate poverty reduction and enhance Africa’s status as a destination for industrial investment. The question that African governments, citizens, and international partners confront is whether this time will—or can—be different. Can the harsh lessons offered by Africa’s more established producers and the continent’s previous energy booms be learned?