Ensuring access to reliable electricity is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health (SDG3) and education (SDG4) in Africa. However, a significant number of schools and healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa remain unelectrified, limiting access to quality education and medical services. Decentralized renewable energy solutions, particularly photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery storage, present a cost-effective and sustainable pathway to address this challenge.
This InfoPoint conference will present insights from several EU and international institutions on the electrification of schools and healthcare facilities in Africa. The first study highlights that over 50,000 rural healthcare facilities lack electricity, impacting essential medical services. Deploying decentralized PV solutions could provide clean, reliable power to these facilities, reducing travel times for 281 million people seeking medical care. The second study maps the electrification status of over 500,000 schools in Africa, emphasizing the need for a EUR 2 billion investment to power unelectrified schools, thereby enhancing digital education, e-cooking, and overall learning conditions.
Key stakeholders from international organizations, development agencies, EU institutions, and field practitioners will discuss challenges, policy recommendations, and financing strategies for empowering communities through universal electrification of schools and healthcare facilities across Africa.
Join us to explore how innovative electrification strategies can unlock Africa’s development potential and foster sustainable growth.
- the EU's international role | international cooperation
- Thursday 3 April 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)
- Brussels, Belgium
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 3 April 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)
- Where
- InfoPointBrussels, Belgium
- Languages
- English
- Organisers
- International Partnerships InfoPoint
Description
Electricity access is a key enabler of economic and social development. Yet, in Sub-Saharan Africa, millions of people remain without access to reliable power, particularly in schools and healthcare facilities. This lack of electrification hampers progress in education, healthcare service delivery, and overall quality of life.
Recent research provides compelling evidence for the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to address these challenges. A 2021 study led by JRC found that more than 50,000 healthcare facilities in rural Africa lack electricity access. The absence of reliable power severely limits the availability of medical equipment, refrigeration for vaccines, and essential emergency services. Deploying solar PV and battery storage systems could provide cost-effective and immediate solutions, requiring an estimated investment of EUR 484 million. Electrification could reduce the travel time for 281 million people seeking healthcare services by an average of 50 minutes.
Similarly, a 2025 study on education found that 32% of African school-aged children live near unelectrified schools, significantly affecting educational outcomes. Powering nearly 500,000 schools with solar PV solutions would require an estimated EUR 2 billion investment but would deliver far-reaching benefits, including internet connectivity, digital learning, and access to e-cooking facilities. Electrification of schools would also reduce travel time for students by an average of 45 minutes.
This conference will bring together experts from EU institutions, international organizations, and on-the-ground practitioners to discuss practical pathways for financing and implementing decentralized energy solutions. The discussion will also explore synergies with ongoing initiatives, such as the Africa Knowledge Platform, SEforALL, UNICEF, and WHO’s efforts in sustainable energy deployment. The session will provide an opportunity to engage in policy recommendations and share best practices for accelerating electrification in underserved communities.
Speakers
- Nicolas Ritzenthaler and Javier Baranda, INTPA F1 - Climate Change and Sustainable Energy; Nuclear Safety
- Sandor Szabo, JRC C2- Energy Efficiency and Renewables
- Luc Severi, Head of Energy Access, SEforALL
- Irene Angeluccetti , JRC D6- Nature Conservation and Observations
- Magda Moner-Girona , JRC-data scientist consultant
- Godfrey Ogbemudia, EU Delegation EEAS-ABUJA
- David Lecoque, CEO Alliance for Rural Electrification
- Raffaella Bellanca, Team Leader, Access to Energy, WFP
- Salvatore Vinci, Technical Lead, Healthcare Facility Electrification, WHO
Language: English
Q&A session languages: English
Registration
Registration for onsite participation at the InfoPoint premises
Register for online participation to the Webex meeting (Webex link will be communicated upon registration)
Read the privacy statement.
