Energy Africa will help bring universal energy access to the continent by 2030 and has the backing of some big names; including Bob Geldof, Kofi Annan and Richard Branson.
The Energy Africa campaign was launched at Facebook’s offices in London on Friday.
“This campaign addresses one of the great injustices of the 21st Century – an injustice that robs millions of our fellow citizens of the dignity, opportunity and freedom that comes with access to modern energy,” said former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.
621 million people – 2 out of 3 sub-Saharan Africans – currently do not have access to electricity. Africans also pay as much as 66 times more for their electricity than someone in the UK according to the Department for International Development.
Half of businesses in sub-Saharan Africa say a lack of reliable electricity supply is a major constraint in their enterprises. Power outages cost sub-Saharan Africa countries 1-2% of their GDP annually.
The use of solar panels provides not only a safer and more reliable energy supply, but cheaper too. Additionally, reaching the 2030 objective could create 4.5 million jobs in the off grid renewables based electricity sector.
Energy Africa will work to remove barriers to and accelerate the expansion of the household solar market.
“Solar is a tremendous opportunity for African countries to leapfrog traditional carbon intense energy systems to a cost effective, clean energy future,” said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group.
Solar has already come a long way in the region. In 2009, just 1% of sub-Saharan Africans used solar lighting. Today, that has reached nearly 5%.
14 target countries have been identified for agreements that will set out tailored policy actions to improve market conditions and provide the necessary coordinated support needed to deliver on the policies formulated.
“The stars are aligned today, we needed the technology to exist before we could electrify a continent, and now this exists,” said Bob Geldof. “This is the moment, this is doable, this is the moment where Africa powers up, switches on and goes for it.”
