Universal access to energy in Africa is essential for reducing poverty, improving productivity, and strengthening resilience to climate change. AI can accelerate energy access through better efficiency, financial innovations, and optimized production.
Energy access : Sustainable development goal no. 7
Universal access to energy is a cornerstone of sustainable development. It is essential for improving living standards, promoting economic growth, and enhancing educational opportunities. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030.
Achieving this goal is particularly vital for Africa, a continent where energy poverty remains a significant barrier to development. In Africa, over 600 million people still live without electricity and many rely on harmful and inefficient energy sources such as kerosene and biomass. This lack of access not only hinders economic progress but also exacerbates health problems and contributes to environmental degradation.
Energy access : Regional disparities
In West Africa, Ghana and Senegal are making progress in terms of electricity access. In Ghana, about 85 % of the population has access to electricity. However, other countries like Niger still face significant challenges, with less than 20 % of the population having access to electricity.
In East Africa, Kenya is a leader in renewable energy, with more than 70 % of its energy mix coming from renewables and an electricity access rate of around 75 %. Conversely, its regional neighbor, Burundi, has a very low electricity access rate, below 11 %.
Southern African countries also experience significant disparities in energy access. South Africa has a relatively high electrification rate of about 89 %. However, neighboring countries like Mozambique and Malawi still face low access rates, with around 30 % and 11 % of the population, respectively, having reliable access to electricity.
These regional disparities highlight the diversity of challenges and progress within the continent. While some countries lead in energy access, others continue to face significant obstacles in achieving universal energy access.
Promoting mini-grids and standalone solar systems
In Africa, ensuring universal and inclusive access to electricity by 2030 requires connecting 90 million people each year, which is three times the rate observed in recent years. Nations such as Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda are making strides towards this goal by 2030, providing examples of success for others to emulate.
It is crucial to effectively target access solutions. The most appropriate solution for 45 % of individuals who will gain electricity access by 2030 is the expansion of national grids, especially those residing in more densely populated areas. The most economical solutions in rural areas are often mini-grids and standalone systems, primarily solar. Several households that initially gain access through mini-grids and standalone systems will eventually be connected to the grid, thereby improving the overall reliability of the electrical network. By 2050, only the most remote residential areas will not be connected to the grid.
By 2030, 130 million people must abandon polluting cooking fuels each year in favor of clean cooking technologies and fuels. The primary source in urban areas is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), but recent price increases have made it unaffordable for 30 million people.
African countries are reevaluating clean fuel subsidy programs and exploring alternatives such as improved biomass cookstoves, electric cooking, and biodigesters. The advances required to ensure universal access to clean cooking fuels by 2030 are substantial, but the benefits are significant:
- Reduction of premature deaths caused by air pollution
- Drastic reduction of time needed to gather fuel and cook
- Opportunity for millions of women to receive an education
- Find employment and participate in public life
AI and energy access
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly transform energy access in Africa by enhancing equitable energy access, promoting innovation, and optimizing energy production and consumption. AI can facilitate the design and implementation of affordable and equitable energy access.
By analyzing socio-economic data, AI can identify underserved communities and tailor energy solutions to their specific needs. For example, Atlas AI, in partnership with Engie Energy Access, uses machine learning to map energy poverty and prioritize areas for energy infrastructure investment. This collaboration relies on satellite imagery and AI-driven socio-economic modeling. The goal is to identify regions where energy access can have the most significant impact. This data-driven approach has reduced deployment costs and resulted in a 48% increase in sales of home solar systems.
AI can be used to assess the risks and returns of renewable energy projects in underserved areas, making it easier for investors to identify viable projects. This can lead to increased investments in regions traditionally considered too risky for energy projects.
AI for simulating energy policies
Businesses and governments can use AI to make data-driven decisions that affect millions of people. AI platforms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify market opportunities, optimize operations, and enhance customer engagement. AI can simulate the impacts of different energy policies, helping policymakers understand potential outcomes and refine their strategies accordingly. This ensures that policies are equitable and effectively address the energy needs of underserved communities.
AI can improve the efficiency of energy systems and associated financing mechanisms. Distribution network losses can be reduced by forecasting energy demand and managing supply. For example, AI algorithms can predict solar and wind energy production, allowing better integration of renewable sources into the grid. In Kenya, companies like M-KOPA use AI for the deployment of home solar systems. M-KOPA uses predictive analytics to analyze customer data to determine:
- Their credit rating
- Their debt limit
- The optimal loan repayment schedule for SHS
Challenges to overcome to fully benefit from AI
Despite AI’s potential to transform energy access, Africa faces several challenges to fully leverage it. One major obstacle is the poor state of energy infrastructure, which limits the deployment of advanced AI technologies. Many regions also lack reliable Internet access, an essential element for AI systems that rely on cloud-based services and real-time data transmission.
The lack of representative data from off-grid local mini-grids hinders the development of inclusive AI models tailored to the specific needs of African communities. Without high-quality data, AI algorithms cannot accurately predict energy demand or identify the most effective solutions for expanding access. There is also a shortage of qualified professionals in the AI and energy sectors in Africa, exacerbating the challenge of developing and deploying AI-based solutions. If Africa truly wants to benefit from AI’s potential, these gaps will need to be addressed.
Universal access to energy is not only an ambitious goal but a necessity for sustainable development in Africa. While significant progress has been made, much remains to be done to ensure that every African has access to reliable and affordable energy. Artificial Intelligence offers transformative potential to overcome these challenges. Case studies show how AI is already making a difference in mapping energy needs and facilitating project financing. However, much remains to be done for Africa to achieve its goal of universal energy access, and AI can play a crucial role in this effort.
