Accelerating sustainable electrification: the key to economic and social development on the African continent

In recent decades, Africa has made significant progress in reducing poverty, decreasing inequality and expanding access to vital services, including electricity. However, progress still falls short of what is needed to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030-Africa still faces many challenges. With a population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the continent will see increased demand for food, clean water, electricity, access to services and employment opportunities. To achieve this goal, Africa will face key energy challenges. Electrification, along with digitization and the development of strategic professional skills, will therefore play a central role in driving the continent's energy demand.

Access to reliable, secure and affordable electricity is an essential condition for the success of Africa's socio-economic transformation. With its enormous natural resources and renewable energy endowments, the continent has the potential to become a major driver of a new global green industry. Together with the large-scale development of renewable energy sources, the modernization of power grids will form the backbone of the electricity systems of the future and will be necessary for the integration of regional and continental energy markets. Technological innovation in energy storage systems, green hydrogen and widespread digitization will also play a significant role in the energy transition.
Successful sustainable electrification of Africa requires a systems approach that embraces all components of electricity systems and value chains. Specifically, this means taking action in the following areas:

• Optimizing electrification plans
• Expansion of generation from renewable sources
• Development of reliable electricity grids
• End-use electrification
• Digitization and smart grids
• Green industrialization, supply chains and critical minerals 

Africa is therefore at a crucial crossroads in its quest for sustainable socio-economic development, with an urgent need to accelerate economic growth, promote job creation and ensure universal access to energy. 
Electricity is thus a fundamental element of modern societies, indispensable in diverse applications ranging from lighting to transportation, industrial processes to digital technologies. 
The convergence of government and private sector interests in supporting African-led development and growth will be one of the focal points discussed within the forum, along with an in-depth look at the best available technologies to accelerate the sustainable electrification of the African continent.