News: Granary of Solutions platform launches to boost global sustainable initiatives. Read it here.
3. Ensuring universal access to energy
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: Transitioning Energy, Industry, Transport
Key Objective: 3. Ensuring universal access to energy
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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