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As 2030 nears, the goal of universal electricity access remains elusive. About 660 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, could still be without power by the decade's end. Recent data shows we are going in the wrong direction: For the first time in more than 10 years, the global count of those without electricity has risen by 10 million, reaching 685 million. The 2024 Energy Progress Report highlights that sub-Saharan Africa is the hardest hit, with 570 million people lacking electricity. This accounts for over 80% of the total global population, a sharp increase from 2015.
Innovative energy solutions are urgently needed to get United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) — universal access to electricity — back on track. Mini-grids provide alternatives to traditional grid extensions, especially in remote areas. However, taking a more lateral thinking approach off-grid technologies combined with conventional utility frameworks can provide a sorely needed efficient distribution model.
This discussion, part of the United Nations Global Goals Week, will explore integrated energy models, which synergize solar mini-grids with existing grids. A proven approach that promotes efficiency and reliability, and fosters a collaborative environment where utility companies and mini-grid developers work as partners, not competitors.
The key to success lies in solid partnerships, encompassing everyone from local communities and businesses to internaonal stakeholders and government bodies.
Join us to discover how these multi-stakeholder partnerships can lead to faster, cost-effective, and sustainable electrification solutions that align with the universal electrification targets of sub-Saharan Africa and create significant social impact.