This is why Africans make up the lion’s share of the estimated 790 million people without electricity globally according to the United Nations. The world now recognises access to energy as a basic human right, which is why the UN adopted this as its Sustainable Goal number seven. In countries where 100 per cent access has been achieved, such as Europe and the Americas, this has been done through investing in mini-grid electricity which helps light up their more remote corners. Africa is no different and therefore has much to benefit from this largely untapped technology. Whereas national grids transfer electricity from our dams, thermal power stations or the Naivasha geothermal fields to urban settlements, mini-grids cover much shorter distances and serve localised populations in rural settlements.

Source: The Star October 11, 2020 14:26 UTC