Africa has made notable progress in expanding electricity access over recent decades, but advancement has been uneven and slow in several major economies. This raises important questions about what lessons can be drawn from both Africa’s own experience and from regions that have achieved faster electrification. New research highlights that simply expanding access to electricity is not enough to reduce poverty; instead, broader policy actions are required, with local governments playing a central and often overlooked role.
Compared to other regions, African countries display far greater variation in electrification outcomes. While some nations have progressed, others such as Nigeria and South Africa have seen little overall improvement over time. In contrast, countries in East and South Asia have steadily expanded electricity access alongside economic growth, often starting from lower income levels but achieving more consistent progress.
The challenge in Africa is not only about electricity access but also the depth of poverty. African countries stand out globally for the scale and persistence of poverty, which helps explain slower electrification gains. Even as access improves in some areas, poverty reduction has not always followed, with countries like Kenya and Zambia experiencing rising poverty levels despite increased electricity coverage. This suggests that electrification alone does not automatically translate into improved living standards.
A key constraint is the economic and political difficulty of financing electrification. Widespread poverty and limited government revenues make it hard to fund large-scale infrastructure. As a result, countries must rely on future economic growth to justify current investments, which requires stronger fiscal systems and greater public trust. Without confidence in governments’ ability to recover costs through taxes and tariffs, attracting investment becomes challenging.
Lessons from other countries, particularly China, offer valuable insights. China’s success was driven by using electrification as a tool for local economic development rather than treating it as an end in itself. Local governments played a critical role by tailoring strategies to local conditions and actively linking electricity expansion with economic growth.
For Africa, this points to the need for reforms that empower local governments. Currently, many local authorities lack sufficient resources or incentives to drive economic development. Strengthening their role in electrification, including managing subsidies and supporting local growth, could accelerate progress. However, this also depends on improving governance, accountability, and public trust to ensure that local leadership effectively contributes to sustainable development.
