Continent-Wide, Millions Gain Access to Electricity

Across Africa, close to 100 million people now have access to electricity, and a growing number of projects are either being developed or are currently underway to intensify the electrification of its population in urban and remote areas alike.

“The African Development Bank reported that an additional 96 million African households have gained access to electricity between 2015 and 2019,” explains Abel Didier Tella, Director General of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa. “And between 2019 and 2024, this trend has been sustained.”

Northern African countries have nearly achieved universal access to electricity. West and Southern African countries are progressing well, and Central African countries are stepping up initiatives to overcome energy poverty. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have reached a 90% electrification rate, and countries like Rwanda and Kenya are targeting universal access for 2025-2030. Around 30 countries are considering nuclear power, with some already engaged with the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess their readiness to embark on a nuclear program. Several solar power projects are underway, like in Nigeria – Africa’s most populous country – where the Solar Power Naija initiative alone aims at providing solar electricity to 5 million homes by 2025. Solar photovoltaic and onshore wind power account for 46% and 29% of global investments in renewable energy, respectively. Several large hydropower projects, such as Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam with a capacity of 6,450 megawatts, have been completed or are underway.