Closing Africa’s Energy Access Gap: What Are African Governments Doing?
Despite remarkable progress in renewable energy deployment and growing investment across the continent, more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while many more face unreliable and unaffordable power. Limited energy access continues to constrain economic growth, industrialisation, education, healthcare, digital inclusion, and overall quality of life.
Across Africa, governments are responding through national electrification strategies, power sector reforms, renewable energy investments, rural electrification programmes, mini-grids, regional power pools, and initiatives such as Mission 300. Yet significant questions remain: Are these efforts sufficient? What policies are delivering results? What obstacles continue to slow progress? And what role should the private sector, development partners, and local communities play in accelerating universal energy access?
This edition of the IAP Energy Dialogue brought together policymakers, regulators, utilities, development partners, researchers, investors, and industry leaders to examine how African governments are addressing the continent’s energy access challenge. The discussion explored successful policy approaches, financing mechanisms, technological innovations, and collaborative solutions that can help bridge the energy access gap while supporting sustainable economic development.
Many thanks to our CONVENER & MODERATOR
Dr. Chigozie Nweke-Eze: Founder, Integrated Africa Power
and to our Panelists:
Jacqueline Rono: Member, Kenya Mission 300 Compact Secretariat
Dr. Musiliu Olalekan Oseni: Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
