Electricity Access and Economic Development: Options for Accelerating Progress in Sub-Saharan Africa
Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”2 Consistent with that goal, many developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have made investment in national electrification a key element of their national economic development strategies. They perceive improved household access to electricity as valuable for enhancing economic well-being and quality of life, and improved availability and reliability of electricity for businesses as necessary for increased productivity and economic growth (IEG 2015, xiv). National electrification plans in Sub-Saharan Africa typically have focused predominantly on the expansion of the national electricity grid, with large-scale fossil fuel and hydroelectric generation facilities and, more recently, some investment in grid-scale wind and solar energy as well. Off-grid electricity supply historically has consisted mainly of small diesel-powered generators used to compensate for unreliable grid supplies, and to provide electricity for households and businesses not connected to the grid who can afford them.
Toman, M., J. Steinbuks, J. Peters, J. Mensah, M. Blimpo und G. Timilsina (2018), Electricity Access and Economic Development: Options for Accelerating Progress in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa's Pulse, 17, 47-79