Universal access to electricity

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.

1) In 2023, 666 million people lacked electricity, 565 million of whom were in Sub-Saharan Africa; at current trends, 645 million will still lack access in 2030.

2) Achieving universal electricity access by 2030 requires connecting 120 million people per year and investing USD 45 billion annually through 2030.

3) Off-grid solar solutions are the most cost-effective option for 41% of the people projected to remain without electricity by 2030.

Reaching universal electricity access by 2030 requires 120 million people to gain access each year and annual investments of USD 45 billion through 2030 (World Bank et al., 2025).

Off-grid solar is the most cost-effective solution for 41 percent of the people remaining without electricity by 2030 (World Bank et al., 2025).

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