Political Economy of Electricity Access in Africa

This book offers a critical and comprehensive analysis of Africa’s electrification journey. In 2024, the World Bank, African Development Bank, and their partners launched Mission 300 , a bold initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Yet, this is not the continent’s first electrification promise. From Lighting Africa to Power Africa , the past two decades have seen a proliferation of well-intentioned programs—yet the number of Africans without electricity has stubbornly remained around 600 million. This book interrogates the gap between ambition and achievement, exploring the political, economic, and social dynamics that shape electricity access. Drawing on case studies from Kenya, Ghana, and beyond, it examines the role of development partners, private sector actors, and national governments in expanding access. Key themes include: The energy trilemma: balancing security, affordability, and sustainability. The politics of regulation, subsidies, and cost recovery. The impact of gender, culture, and tradition on energy access. The promise and limits of off-grid and cross-border solutions. The importance of data, measurement, and coordination. This book is essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand—and transform—the future of energy in Africa.