Balancing Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Energy Accessibility in Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Africa

Abstract

Abstract Modern civilization depends on energy to survive; therefore, it must be readily available, affordable, reliable, and safe. With over 1.2 billion people residing in Sub-Saharan Africa, over 570 million people live without electricity, and 900 million have no access to clean cooking (IEA, 2020). Despite efforts to expand access to electricity, many households and businesses in the region still need more affordable and reliable energy. Due to limited access to energy in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region has witnessed thousands of deaths yearly. The limited energy access also impairs hospital operations, impedes educational achievement, and raises economic expenditures. Therefore, increasing energy supply and distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa is urgently needed. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of energy accessibility in Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa using SWOT and PESTEL analysis. It analyses the barriers and prospects for balancing energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa by identifying the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of energy accessibility in both regions and the political, social, technological, social, economic, environmental, and legal factors that affect it. The research findings reveal that there has been recent growth in energy access in Northern Africa attributable to smart green funding and innovative regulatory framework. Concurrently, Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges to increasing energy accessibility, irrespective of its potential for renewable energy development. This paper concludes with recommendations for addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities to enhance energy accessibility in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also, this research would give the proper framework to increase energy efficiency and accomplish the climate targets outlined in the Paris Agreement.