Electrification of sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa comprises of 49 countries with a population of 826 million and has a Power Generation capacity of just 68 GW. Of this 40 GW is generated in South Africa alone which leaves just 20 GW for 48 countries. Because of the low Power Generation most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have less than 20% electrification. Out of the 826 million people who live in Sub-Saharan Africa, only 29% have access to Electricity. South Africa has the highest per capita Electricity consumption of 4,809 kWh per year while Ethiopia has the least per capita Electricity consumption of 38 kWh per year. Most of the infrastructure development in the past in Sub-Saharan Africa was because of the mining industry. However currently the infrastructure development is being driven by unprecedented growth in the demand for electricity from both residential and industrial consumers.