Addressing Energy Poverty: A Path to Sustainable Development

Globally, 759 million people – 1 out of 10 – do not have access to electricity to light their homes, refrigerate their food, or keep cool in rising temperatures. Around 2.6 billion people have to rely on dirty biomass fuels such as charcoal, coal and animal waste for cooking (SEforALL, 2020).

Solutions exist in the form of decentralized solar (among other renewables) for electricity, and clean cooking options range from improved biomass to LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas). Strong energy access programs don’t just provide electricity or fuel for cooking, they unlock deep social impact – often with surprising results.

A clean energy revolution in sub-Saharan Africa is urgently needed to win the fight against energy poverty. Clean energy provides a golden thread to deliver on the promise of Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It can unlock sustainable economic growth, improve human health and well-being and enable women and children to lead more productive lives (UN, 2018; NCE, 2018).

By making access to energy goals more important, more visible, and more ambitious, governments will be better able to attract funding for its execution.

How Enabling Qapital is contributing to Access to Energy