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Powering People and Planet: Impact Report 2025 • Chapter 2
Africa Which constraints limit energy systems to deliver development impact?
Exhibit 5: Energy systems profile for Sub Saharan Africa Governance Policy Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy overall score 36
Africa faces significant energy access and utilization challenges, as recent progress in energy access chases high population growth. Around 600 million people lack electricity — 40 percent of whom live in our focus countries like Nigeria, DRC, Ethiopia and Malawi.
Policy RISE Renewable Energy Pillar
Progress is hindered by inadequate and aging transmission and distribution infrastructure, and fragmented energy planning across grid and off-grid solutions. High financing costs driven by perceived risks and limited affordable capital further restrict clean energy investments. On the demand side, low uptake of electricity for productive uses limits economic growth, compounded by high unemployment and gender disparities in workforce development. Policy and institutional weaknesses — including complex political economies, regulatory gaps, and limited coordination — delay program implementation and deter private sector participation (see Exhibit 5).
Access
22
100
100
Utilization Electricity power consumption (kilowatt-hour/person/year) 383
4,000
Access to electricity (% of population) 53%
100%
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking (% of population) 22%
100%
System performance Total energy supply (GJ/person/year) 25
150
System Average Interruption Duration Index (hours/year) 41
0
Energy Transition Index score 49
100
Renewable electricity output (% of total electricity output) 33%
88