Electricity Access in Africa 2023: The Bright Edges and the Dark Center

Electricity remains the lifeblood of economic and social progress, yet vast parts of Africa still operate in the shadows. According to Our World in Data (2023), Sub-Saharan Africa averages 53% electricity access but this statistic hides deep inequalities across the continent. A central corridor of nations stretching from South Sudan to the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face some of the lowest access rates globally, often below 30%.

Electricity Access in Africa

1. The Geography of Inequality

While North and Southern Africa enjoy relatively high electrification rates, a “dark center” persists. Countries such as South Sudan (5.4%), Burundi (11.6%), and Chad (12%) struggle with weak infrastructure, conflict, and low investment in grid expansion. Meanwhile, nations along the coast from Ghana to Kenya have surpassed the 70% threshold, signaling stronger policy frameworks and private participation in the energy sector.

2. Why the Divide Persists

Several factors explain this divide:

• Infrastructure gaps: Landlocked nations face higher costs for extending transmission lines.

• Political instability: Ongoing conflicts in South Sudan and the Central African Republic disrupt energy development.

• Low investment in renewables: Despite abundant solar potential, off-grid solutions remain underfunded.

  
  

3. Signs of Progress

In contrast, countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Senegal demonstrate what’s possible when governments combine public and private financing with policy reform. Kenya’s Last Mile Connectivity Project and Rwanda’s rapid rural electrification push have shown measurable success.

4. The Path Forward

Bridging Africa’s energy gap requires:

• Regional cooperation to share grid infrastructure.

• Scaled investment in solar and decentralized mini-grids.

• Clearer policies to attract private capital into off-grid and renewable energy markets.
  

Conclusion: Africa’s energy future is not uniformly dark, it’s unevenly lit. The challenge is not the lack of potential but the need for coordinated, sustained action. Lighting up the “dark center” will be essential for driving inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.

Keywords:

Africa electricity access 2023, Sub-Saharan electrification, renewable energy in Africa, Our World in Data, energy inequality, power access, African development.