Africa’s energy access challenge is no new tale. The continent has the lowest electricity generation capacity and faces the most severe cases of energy poverty in the world. It is high time we changed this narrative and placed the region in the right direction by lighting up Africa.
Africa has a huge energy potential, especially in renewable energy such as hydropower, solar, biomass and wind. However, only a minute percentage of these resources have been utilised. This is partly because African countries lack the facilities and finance to develop renewable energy systems.
Although many African countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, and development organisations such as the World Bank, have made great strides in increasing energy access in the region, a lot can still be done. For instance, the #canachallenge initiative was recently launched by Rwanda Development Bank to provide solar home systems to about 10,000 households in the country.
Rather than solely depending on international agencies, the campaign was organised for individuals and organisations to improve electricity access in rural areas not connected to the grid. This initiative can be seen as a step in the right direction as it leads to an increase in renewable energy use and bridges electricity access gaps in the country.
Like the #canachallenge initiative, African leaders should follow suit and create opportunities to increase electricity access rates in their countries.