Achieving the SDG 7, Universal Access to Energy in Africa: Progress, Obstacles, and Prospects

The Sustainable Development Goal 7 calls for affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all, by 2030. The goal is important to African countries, not only in itself but also because it is fundamental to achieving the other goals. The need to meet the Paris Agreement, the rising emission level among many African countries, the growing population and high rate of urbanization, and the necessity to power the economy to support economic growth are some drivers for achieving the goal. The energy deficit of the African continent is the greatest among the world regions. This situation is a contradiction of the large energy resources of the African continent. While few of the countries have hydrocarbon resources, most of them have abundant and varied renewable energy resources. African countries realized the advantages that renewable sources have in bridging the energy gap and have invested in renewable energy development. Actions have been directed to providing renewable energy policies, large-scale renewable projects, mini-grids, and solar home systems. Collaborative actions have also been taken to achieve co-production of renewable energy. This chapter observes that while some actions have been taken, progress has been limited, and inequality is seen among the countries in the drive for energy access. Energy connection, use of clean cooking energy, broad applications of energy to varying energy services and reliability are under threat. These cast doubts on the prospects of achieving universal access to clean, modern, and reliable energy by 2030 for most African countries. The implication is that more vigorous and concerted efforts will be required to be on the path for achieving the goal.