600 Million Africans Still in the Dark: Adesina Calls for Urgent Energy Investment
600 million lack electricity in Africa, according to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who emphasized the urgent need for significant investment in the continent’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking at the Africa Energy Forum, Adesina revealed that nearly half of Africa’s population remains without access to electricity — a major hurdle to economic growth, industrial development, education, and healthcare delivery.
“Energy is life. Without electricity, there can be no development,” Adesina stated, calling on African governments and global partners to prioritize funding for clean, reliable energy solutions.
He stressed the need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources such as solar, hydro, and wind power, especially in underserved rural communities.
Currently, many African countries rely on outdated grids, with poor maintenance and limited reach. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over 75% of the global population without electricity.
Adesina also highlighted AfDB’s commitment to solving the crisis through the Desert to Power Initiative, a multi-billion-dollar solar project that aims to provide electricity to 250 million people across the Sahel region.
He warned that failure to address the electricity gap would slow Africa’s chances of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and drive deeper inequality.
This power crisis has sparked renewed interest from investors, but implementation remains slow due to bureaucracy and funding gaps.
What’s Next?
For Africa to bridge this energy divide, experts say the continent must attract long-term financing, encourage private sector participation, and enforce energy sector reforms.
