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Providing Africans with access to electricity: possible solutions to urgent needs
“Electricity
means being able to check if someone is sick without having
hands occupied with a flashlight”, Doctor in a
rural health center, Guinea
While 80% of the world’s
population has access to electricity, only 30% of the African population
enjoys this benefit. Today, almost 600 million inhabitants live without
electricity, particularly in rural areas.
In some countries, such as Liberia, there is
virtually no access to electricity. In others, there are huge
inequalities. In Senegal for example, 90% of the population of the
capital Dakar, has access to electricity, while rural communities only
50 km away have almost none.“When
children have to prepare exams, we gave them a kit to work at
night”, local chief, Gabon
When night
falls most of Africa is plunged into total darkness. African women take
far longer to carry out basic household tasks and the children cannot
study at night. Power cuts and the high cost of traditional alternatives
such as generators affect the productivity and profitability of African
businesses and impact employment. A small business with ten employees
can spend up to 300 CFA Francs (USD 0.50) a month on fuel for an
electric generator on top of its standard electricity bill.
« It
really reinforced solidarity and social bonds. Before solar
panels, everyone used to go back home at 7.00 p.m.; now we can
gather and chat together”, inhabitant,
Olosho-Oibor, Kenya
Energy is vital for development and
inclusive, fast-track growth in Africa. Energy will determine Africa’s
ability to unleash its full potential and improve living conditions.
Several solutions have already proved effective. The founders of Akon Lighting Africa are convinced that these must be rolled out on a broader scale and deployment fast-tracked. To achieve this, the Akon Lighting Africa initiative involves the installation of three types of solar-powered equipment: public street lighting, solar micro-generators for use by communities and household connection kits.