Sub-Saharan Africa Electricity Access Crisis
Recent Developments
018 July 2026: UN DESA said the Tracking SDG 7 report shows 655 million people still lack electricity globally, with 86% of the deficit concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa.
0224 June 2026: The World Bank said Sub-Saharan Africa still has over 560 million people without electricity and that universal access by 2030 will require the pace of progress to triple.
032026: Mission 300, the World Bank and African Development Bank initiative, reported more than 50 million people connected across 40 countries toward its 300 million target by 2030.
Interventions
- Mission 300, a World Bank and African Development Bank initiative aiming to connect 300 million people to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
- World Bank commitments to mobilize $30 billion for energy in Africa between 2024 and 2030.
- Expanded off-grid solar and decentralized electrification efforts identified as a cost-effective pathway for reaching a large share of those still without access.
What Works
- Grid expansion combined with decentralized energy solutions has reduced deficits faster in parts of East Africa, including countries such as Rwanda and Kenya.
- Off-grid solar is identified as a cost-effective pathway that could electrify 41% of those still lacking access by 2030.
- Regional electrification improves when new connections outpace population growth; between 2022 and 2024 Sub-Saharan Africa added about 42 million connections annually, but faster demographic growth still limited net gains.
How to Help
- Donate to organizations working on electricity access and clean energy expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Support local and international NGOs focused on grid extension, mini-grids, and off-grid solar deployment.
- Advocate for public and private financing for energy access through representatives and development finance institutions.
Make an Impact
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Verified Organizations
Organizations Helping(8)
AFD works with SEforALL to accelerate universal access to sustainable and affordable energy in sub-Saharan Africa as part of Mission 300. The partnership aims to integrate initiatives such as the Universal Energy Facility and mobilize local SMEs and operators to improve electrification project delivery and impact.
Supports solar electrification projects in Sub-Saharan Africa to address the energy crisis, emphasizing sustainable and inclusive energy solutions tailored to regional differences like geological, cultural, and economic factors, contributing to efforts for universal access by 2030.
RMI’s Africa Energy Program works in sub-Saharan Africa to improve clean energy planning, support least-cost electricity system planning, strengthen procurement processes, and catalyze distributed energy resources so affordable, reliable electricity can reach more people faster.
AfDB addresses the problem by financing the institutions and infrastructure needed for resilient regional connectivity, including support that helped establish WIOCC as the special purpose vehicle for EASSy. The bank's involvement strengthens the capital base for submarine cable deployment, which expands capacity, lowers vulnerability to outages, and improves access for countries relying on a small number of international links.
