In many parts of Africa, a lot of people don’t have electricity. This is a big problem for their daily lives and the development of their countries. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 600 million Africans don’t have access to electricity. This means that over 43% of African countries’ populations are living without a basic necessity that most of us take for granted.
The lack of electricity affects various aspects of life. Families struggle because they can’t have proper lighting in their homes and on their streets. This doesn’t just impact homes; it also affects businesses, schools, and healthcare. Without electricity, essential activities become challenging.
There are different reasons why many areas in Africa don’t have electricity. One reason is that electricity can be expensive, and some regions have high prices compared to what people earn. Additionally, leaders in some African countries haven’t invested enough in their electricity systems, which is crucial for providing power to everyone.
A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and other partners highlighted the countries in Africa with the most significant number of people lacking access to electricity. This situation calls for urgent attention to improve the lives of millions by addressing the challenges in the electricity sector.
Below are the 10 African countries with the largest population lacking electricity:
| Rank | Country | Population without access to electricity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 86 million |
| 2 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 76 million |
| 3 | Ethiopia | 55 million |
| 4 | United Republic of Tanzania | 36 million |
| 5 | Uganda | 25 million |
| 6 | Mozambique | 22 million |
| 7 | Niger | 21 million |
| 8 | Madagascar | 19 million |
| 9 | Burkina Faso | 18 million |
| 10 | Angola | 18 million |
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving government policies, international aid, private sector involvement, and community engagement to promote sustainable rural electrification. Many initiatives and projects are underway to improve electricity access in rural areas, but progress can be slow due to the complexity of these issues.
Limited financial resources have hindered the investment needed for rural electrification projects. Governments have faced budget constraints, making it difficult to allocate funds for such initiatives.
It has long been claimed that rural electrification greatly improves the quality of life. Lighting alone brings benefits such as increased study time and improved study environment for school children, extended hours for small businesses, and greater security.
