30 sub-Saharan Africa countries among 38 that fail to provide basic electricity access

About 38 countries globally fail to provide basic electricity access to the population with an average per capita electricity consumption of 118 kWh, varying between a broad range of 17 kWh and 333 kWh. The benchmark annual per capita electricity consumption is 360 kWh. 

Some 30 countries out of these are from sub-Saharan Africa, with an average per capita electricity consumption of 110 kWh. This means, in the worst-case scenario, a family has to make a hard choice between using a fan for an hour a day for 300 hot days or a CFL bulb for five hours a day throughout the year. 

More than 60 per cent of Africa’s population is facing acute energy poverty, an analysis for 2021 by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment revealed.

The 30 SSA countries that fail to provide basic electricity access to their residents collectively account for 62 per cent of the total population of the African region, which signifies the enormity of energy poverty in the continent. At just 502 kWh, the average per capita electricity consumption for entire Africa is not encouraging either.

South Africa leads the per capita consumption chart with 3,758 kWh, followed by nine other countries with a better-than-average electricity access scenario. However, six other countries managed to extend basic energy supplies marginally better than the recommended threshold but still below the average for Africa.

Needless to mention, there is no point of comparison against the world average, which stands at 3,600 kWh, except for the case with South Africa. This further implies that the entire Africa region is facing poverty issues affecting almost the entire population of the continent barring South Africa, 17 per cent of the world’s population. Following table presents the most abject state of energy access in the SSA region. 

Countries at the lower end of the spectrum have been unable to ensure basic electricity access to reach the threshold of 360 units per capita a year for their population.

Africa’s huge RE potential

The charts below indicate huge renewable energy potential of up to 9,000 GW (excluding hydro) in Africa, with about 60 per cent of the estimated total potential concentrated in the SSA region.

This includes solar and wind resources as well as other resources such as geothermal, tidal, bioenergy, pumped hydro and offshore wind. Africa’s vast solar potential of about 8,000 GW promises the opportunity for green energy transition in the continent. The estimated potential is based on considering only 1 per cent of land utilisation for solar and wind energy.

Source: International Renewable Energy Agency

Although Africa is the hub of renewable resources, realisation of the estimated RE potential is almost insignificant at just 0.26 per cent. SSA also echoes the same trend. 

The current RE installed capacity in all of Africa and SSA form 9 per cent and 12 per cent of the total installed capacity, respectively.

Solar PV emerges as the most preferred RE technology option followed by on-shore wind together, accounting for about 84 per cent of the total installed RE capacity.

Energy mix of Africa and SSA countries

Overall RE and non-RE installed capacity in Africa, SSA

Source: International Renewable Energy Agency

Wind and solar energy offer immense potential to combat energy poverty in Africa, with current utilisation levels at just 0.15 per cent for solar and 1.7 per cent for on-shore wind.

To address this challenge effectively, African nations must adopt comprehensive policies that promote renewable energy deployment, while phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and diversifying investments.

Public awareness campaigns are vital to garner support for the energy transition. By harnessing its abundant renewable resources and implementing targeted policies, Africa can accelerate its journey towards sustainable energy access, fostering economic growth and creating a greener, more prosperous future for the continent.

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