3. Ensuring universal access to energy
Universal access to electricity
Achieve modern, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all by 2030 through integrated electrification plans that combine grid expansion, mini-grids, and stand-alone systems, with a focus on reaching the last mile and enabling productive uses of energy.
How this solution relates to the action agenda
Axis: 1. Transitioning Energy, Industry, Transport
Key Objective: 3. Ensuring universal access to energy
Why it matters
Although 92% of the world’s population has access to electricity, universal access remains limited in remote areas, among low-income populations, and in regions affected by conflict and violence. Universal access is foundational for health, education, livelihoods, and resilience. In 2023, 666 million people still lacked electricity, 85% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. At the current pace, 645 million people are projected to remain without access in 2030. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7.1.1 requires accelerated connections using least-cost solutions, with distributed renewables playing a central role.
Sources:
"World Bank, International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, & World Health Organization. (2025). Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2025. available at: https://trackingsdg7.esmap.org/
International Energy Agency. (2024). Access to electricity – SDG7: Data & Projections. available at: https://prod.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-electricity
Sustainable Energy for All. (2024). Energizing Finance Report 2024. available at: https://www.seforall.org/publications/energizing-finance-report-2024
Sustainable Energy for All. (2024). Energy Finance. available at: https://www.seforall.org/energy-finance
World Bank. (2024, April 17). New partnership aims to connect 300 million to electricity by 2030 (Mission 300). available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/04/17/new-partnership-aims-to-connect-300-million-to-electricity-by-2030
World Bank. (2024, October 8). Off-grid solar could provide first-time electricity access to almost 400 million people globally by 2030. available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/10/08/off-grid-solar-could-provide-first-time-electricity-access-to-almost-400-million-people-globally-by-2030"
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