The African Development Bank (AfDB) says the continent accounts for just 6% of global energy demand.
AfDB’s vice president Power, Energy and Green Growth, Mr Kevin Kariuki, described the situation as an “abject energy poverty”, pointing out that out of 790 million people without access to electricity globally, 565 million (72 per cent) are in Africa.
He also said Africa has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in the world citing 85kw hours per annum.
“Also, 900 million people in Africa lack access to clean cooking which excludes them from economic and health benefits that come with access to clean cooking.
“We cannot be proud of this development, because lack to access to clean electricity constraints modern economic activities and hampers improvements in the quality of lives of Africans,” he said.