Access to reliable electricity is a crucial driver of economic growth and development.
In Africa, several countries
have made significant strides in improving their electricity infrastructure,
ensuring a more stable power supply for their citizens.
The International Energy Agency
(IEA) states that having “access to electricity” entails more than electricity
delivery to households.
In addition, it stipulates that
homes must utilize a minimum quantity of power, which varies according to
whether the home is in an urban or rural area and rises with time.
Below are ten African countries
with the best electricity access
Mauritius
One of the standout performers
in Africa is Mauritius, with nearly 100 percent of its population having access
to electricity. The country has invested heavily in renewable energy sources
such as solar and wind, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and ensuring a
more sustainable power supply.
Egypt
Egypt, which shares borders with
both the Mediterranean and the Red Seas, has 100 percent of its rural and urban
population having access to electricity nationwide.
Egypt is becoming a leader in
the renewable energy industry, with thermal and hydroelectric plants providing
the majority of the nation’s electricity. The nation is currently working on
plans to connect to sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Europe to export
excess electricity.
Morocco
With 100 percent of its rural
and urban inhabitants having access to electricity, Morocco is one of the most
electrified nations in Africa. Major advances are presently underway with goals
to expand the amount of renewables in the energy mix to 52 percent for solar
and wind power by 2030.
Tunisia
Tunisia offers 100 percent
national power availability for both rural and urban areas, meeting all of its
domestic consumption needs. The North Africa nation currently gets the majority
of its electricity from natural gas and plans to invest long-term in renewable
energy, with a target share of 30 percent by 2023.
Algeria
Algeria’s national electricity
availability rating of 99.8 percent, 99.6 percent in rural and 99.9 percent in
urban areas places it among the most electrified nations in Africa. 96 percent
of the nation’s installed capacity is derived from natural gas, with the
remaining 4 percent coming from a mix of hydropower, wind, solar, and oil.
Gabon
Gabon enjoys a 91.6 percent
power access rate. The percentage of people who have access to electricity in
rural areas is 27.8 percent, and in urban areas is 98.6 percent. Gabon intends
to implement a sustainable energy mix that includes biomass, natural gas, and
hydropower under the Gabon Emergent Policy to lessen its dependency on fossil
fuels and increase access to electricity for the rural populace.
Ghana
Gas, thermal energy, and
hydropower energy make up the majority of Ghana’s electrical mix. At now, the
nation’s rate of electricity access stands at 85.9 percent, with 74 percent of
access occurring in rural regions and 94 percent in urban areas.
South
Africa
The majority of South Africa’s
energy is currently produced by coal, with 84.4 percent of the country’s
population having access to electricity overall—75.3 percent in rural areas and
88.8 percent in urban areas. The nation aims to diversify its energy sources
and is increasing research and development in renewable energy to lessen its
dependency on coal and increase access.
Botswana
The nation’s overall power
access rate is 72 percent, with 90.7 percent of urban areas and 26.4 percent of
rural areas having access to it. To meet its ambitious 2030 goal of having 100
percent of the population have access to power, the nation is making use of its
vast wind and solar energy resources.
Kenya
Kenya has the highest national
power access rate in East Africa, at 71.4 percent, with 62.7 percent of the
population living in rural regions and 94 percent in urban areas. Hydropower,
geothermal energy, wind power, solar power, and biomass make up Kenya’s energy
mix.
Source: Business Day
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