While 958 million people worldwide lacked access to electricity in 2015, this number declined to 655 million in 2024. Nevertheless, the global electricity access rate remains at 92%, and the current pace of progress is not sufficient to achieve the goal of universal access to electricity by 2030.

🌍 Of the 655 million people without access to electricity, 563 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately one-third of the global access gap is concentrated in only Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia. Although access rates have increased in rural areas, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, population growth, lack of financing, and infrastructure deficiencies continue to limit progress.

📌 According to the report, in order to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, the annual rate of progress needs to more than triple and reach 1.35%. Affordable financing, targeted support, strong national electrification plans, and distributed renewable energy solutions play a critical role in closing this gap.

Access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy for all continues to be one of the fundamental conditions not only for SDG 7, but also for education, health, employment, and inclusive development.