Energy poverty and energy access in rural Africa

Lewis Ofori Amankona, Kwame Awuah Baffour and Jonas Ayaribilla Akudugu

Chapter 48 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Energy Economics, 2025, pp 184-189 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This entry explores energy poverty and access in rural Africa, highlighting the significant challenges and strategies in addressing the issue. Despite progress, approximately 660 million people globally, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, will remain without electricity by 2030. Energy poverty in rural Africa severely hampers socio-economic development, with many relying on traditional biomass for cooking, leading to adverse health and environmental impacts. The entry discusses the multidimensional nature of energy poverty, and its effects on economic opportunities, health, and education, and emphasises the importance of targeted interventions, including grid and off-grid solutions, public–private partnerships, and community engagement. Notable successes in countries like Kenya and Ghana demonstrate the potential of combining policy stability, infrastructure investment, and innovative financing to enhance energy access and drive sustainable development.

Keywords: Energy Poverty; Rural Africa; Energy Access; Sustainable Development; Renewable Energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035310364
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