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.