Electricity access stalls with 730 million people still unconnected in 2024

Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The number of people without access to electricity worldwide reached 730 million in 2024, representing a marginal decrease of 11 million from the previous year. This trend confirms a stagnation observed since 2020, while pre-pandemic progress had been more robust.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the hardest-hit region

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for eight out of ten people globally without electricity. In 2024, new connections in the region reached 6.8 million, a 2% increase from 2023. Nearly 90% of these connections were made through the main grid and mini-grids, mainly in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. However, population growth in underserved areas offset much of this progress, limiting the net reduction in the number of people without electricity to only 4 million.

Near-universal access in Asia, but key gaps persist

Developing Asia reached a 98% access rate in 2024, with India and Indonesia achieving full coverage. However, most of the remaining unconnected population is concentrated in five countries—Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—which together account for 83% of the region’s electricity access gap. The pace of progress remains slower than pre-pandemic levels across most of these countries.

Latin America nears full connectivity

With an electricity access rate of 98%, Latin America is approaching universal coverage. Still, remote regions such as the Andes and the Amazon remain underserved. At the current pace, it could take up to 15 years to bridge the final gap. Haiti presents the most significant challenge, with around half of its population still lacking electricity and 2024 progress falling 56% below the 2015–2019 average.

Access grows, but household consumption declines

In sub-Saharan Africa, electricity access expanded from 30% of the population in 2012 to 50% in 2024, yet average household electricity consumption dropped by approximately 25% over the same period. Tariffs in many countries have risen faster than incomes, limiting household spending capacity. Newly connected households, especially in rural areas, often rely on small solar home systems with limited capacity. These systems constrain usage levels, which remain far below regional averages, even several years after gaining access.

Policy measures expand amid economic constraints

In 2024 and early 2025, around 60% of the unconnected population lived in countries that implemented new electricity access policies. These measures included tax incentives, subsidy programmes, national strategies, and other targeted actions. Despite these efforts, continued high debt burdens, elevated borrowing costs, and declining development finance are weighing on progress.

Electricity demand, amplified by the rise of artificial intelligence, exceeds forecasts and makes the 2050 net-zero target unattainable, according to new projections by consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.
Norway's sovereign wealth fund generated a €88 billion profit in the third quarter, largely driven by equity market performances in commodities, telecommunications, and finance.
The German regulator is preparing a reform favourable to grid operators, aiming to adjust returns and efficiency rules from 2028 for gas pipelines and 2029 for electricity networks.
Bill Gates urges governments and investors to prioritise adaptation to warming effects, advocating for increased funding in health and development across vulnerable countries.
The Malaysian government plans to increase public investment in natural gas and solar energy to reduce coal dependency while ensuring energy cost stability for households and businesses.
The study by Özlem Onaran and Cem Oyvat highlights structural limits in public climate finance, underscoring the need for closer alignment with social and economic goals to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of public spending.
Oil major ExxonMobil is challenging two California laws requiring disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, arguing that the mandates violate freedom of speech.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Norway’s deferral of a climate impact assessment did not breach procedural safeguards under the Convention, upholding the country’s 2016 oil licensing decisions.
Singapore strengthens its energy strategy through public investments in nuclear, regional electricity interconnections and gas infrastructure to secure its long-term supply.
As oil production declines, Gabon is relying on regulatory reforms and large-scale investments to build a new growth framework focused on local transformation and industrialisation.
Cameroon will adopt a customs exemption on industrial equipment related to biofuels starting in 2026, as part of its new energy strategy aimed at regulating a still underdeveloped sector.
Facing a persistent fuel shortage and depleted foreign reserves, the Bolivian parliament has passed an exceptional law allowing private actors to import gasoline, diesel and LPG tax-free for three months.
Ghana aims to secure $16 billion in oil revenues over ten years, but the continued drop in production raises doubts about the sector’s long-term stability.
The government of Kinshasa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Vingroup to develop a 6,300-hectare urban project and modernise mobility through an electric transport network.
ERCOT’s grid adapts to record electricity consumption by relying on the growth of solar, wind and battery storage to maintain system stability.
The French government will raise the energy savings certificate budget by 27% in 2026, leveraging more private funds to support thermal renovation and electric mobility.
Facing opposition criticism, Monique Barbut asserts that France’s energy sovereignty relies on a strategy combining civil nuclear power and renewable energy.
The European Commission is reviving efforts to abolish daylight saving time, supported by several member states, as the energy savings from the practice are now considered negligible.
Rising responses to UNEP’s satellite alerts trigger measurement, reporting and verification clauses; the European Union sets import milestones, Japan strengthens liquefied natural gas traceability; operators and steelmakers adjust budgets and contracts.
The Finance Committee has adopted an amendment to overhaul electricity pricing by removing the planned redistribution mechanism and capping producers' profit margins.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.