Although energy access has increased in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, it remains low, as more than 50% of the region’s population still lacks access to electricity.
According to a UNCTAD report, low access to energy has implications on health, education, poverty reduction and sustainable development. For example, lack of access to clean cooking fuels and technology is a major concern, especially for women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by household air pollution, which caused 700,000 deaths in Africa in 2019.
The report warns that without additional efforts, the region’s population without access to clean fuels could increase from 923 million people in 2020 to over 1.1 billion people in 2030.
This article by Brickstone Africa reviews UNCTAD report on the need to improve energy access towards meeting development goals in Africa. |