Beyond connection: The challenge of expanding electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Many turn to diesel or petrol generators to keep essential services running, bringing additional costs and pollution. The example points to a broader lesson: counting connections alone can obscure the quality of the service people receive.

Expanding the grid remains important, particularly where it is the most practical and cost-effective option. But for remote communities, mini-grids and solar home systems can offer alternatives. Stronger utilities and more reliable supply matter too: access should mean more than a light that works some of the time.

Mission 300, launched by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, aims to extend electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Meeting that ambition will require a focus not only on how many people gain a connection, but also on whether the electricity they receive is dependable and useful in daily life.

The central message is simple: a connection is the first milestone, but further steps include bringing reliable and affordable access. Measuring access alongside reliability and service quality gives a fuller picture of whether electricity is helping households and businesses thrive.

Note: This blog draws on the electricity access data and analysis presented in the Atlas of Global Development 2026, released in May 2026. More recent estimates are available in the World Development Indicators and may differ from the figures presented here.