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Key Insights
Lowest Access: South Sudan (8.4%), Burundi (10.3%), and Chad (11.7%) have the lowest electricity access rates in Africa, reflecting severe infrastructure challenges exacerbated by political instability and poverty.
Highest Access: North African countries like Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritius have achieved universal electricity access (100%). Their success is attributed to stable governance and substantial investment in energy infrastructure.
Regional Disparities: The stark contrast between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa highlights the uneven progress in electrification across the continent. North Africa’s proximity to Europe and historical infrastructure investments have been crucial to its success.
Electricity access is a fundamental component of economic and social development, influencing health, education, business, and industry. However, Africa presents a deeply divided landscape when it comes to electrification.
In North Africa, countries have made tremendous strides, achieving universal access to electricity. This region benefits from strategic investments in energy infrastructure, supported by governmental efforts and international partnerships. Proximity to Europe has also facilitated economic ties and access to advanced technologies, propelling their energy sectors forward.
In contrast, many sub-Saharan countries continue to grapple with low levels of electrification. South Sudan, Burundi, and Chad, among others, struggle to extend electricity to their populations due to ongoing conflicts, economic constraints, and geographical challenges. Rural areas, in particular, are often left behind, as the high costs of extending grids to remote regions deter investment. This rural inaccessibility can lower overall access percentages, even where significant investments are made in urban areas.
The disparities in electricity access between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa underscore the need for targeted investments and policy interventions. Bridging this gap will require a focus on extending infrastructure to rural areas and addressing the unique challenges faced by countries with low access rates.
The data
The data used in this article is sourced from the World Bank and reflects the percentage of the population with access to electricity as of 2022. While this data provides an important snapshot of progress, it has limitations. Notably, it does not fully capture the urban-rural divide. In many countries, rural areas still lack reliable access, which can significantly lower national accessibility percentages despite substantial investments in urban infrastructure.
To improve electricity access in Africa, efforts must consider not only the expansion of infrastructure but also the need to make electricity reliable and affordable for all, particularly in underserved rural areas. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring equitable development across the continent.
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