18 out of 20 Countries with Highest Deficits in Sub-Saharan Africa
The year 2022 witnessed a setback in progress towards expanding electricity access, with the number of people living without electricity increasing globally for the first time in over a decade.
According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest report, in collaboration with the World Bank and other institutions, 18 of the 20 countries with the largest electricity access deficits in 2022 are located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria, DRC, and Ethiopia Account for One-Third of Global Deficit
The top three countries in this ranking—Nigeria with 86 million people, the Democratic Republic of Congo with 78 million, and Ethiopia with 55 million—account for nearly one-third of the entire global deficit.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Epicenter of the Global Electricity Access Gap
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to the majority of the world’s population without access to electricity. The region now represents 83% of the global access deficit, a significant increase from 50% in 2010.
Progress in Asia, Stagnation in Africa
While significant strides have been made towards universal access in Central and South Asia, where the access deficit has decreased from 414 million people in 2010 to less than 33 million in 2022, progress has stagnated in Sub-Saharan Africa. Population growth has outpaced new connections, leaving 571.1 million people without access in 2022, compared to 566.1 million in 2010.
Financial Constraints and the Need for Targeted Efforts
The region faces a shrinking fiscal space due to persistent inflation, high interest rates, and low affordability thresholds. In this context, concerted efforts in these countries are crucial to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
Data Collection and Analysis: Key to Progress
Improving data collection and utilizing modern analytical tools to track progress and support data-driven decision-making are essential components of these efforts.
By focusing on these areas, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa can work towards closing the electricity access gap and achieving a brighter future for their citizens.