Ethiopia house connected to outdoor power supply

Does Ethiopia have universal energy access?

As part of the country’s commitment to universal energy access, Ethiopia has made significant progress in recent years. By 2022, 55% of the population had electricity, a major improvement from just 20% in 2015. However, there is still a gap—while urban areas have a 94% electrification rate, many rural areas continue to struggle.

How is electricity transforming rural communities in Ethiopia?

Meskerem’s story is just one example of how electricity is transforming rural communities in Ethiopia. Along with the off-grid connections, the project has also supported close to 1.6 million new on-grid connections, bringing electricity to more than 8 million people.

How can Ethiopia achieve electricity connection targets?

Achieving connection targets requires a commensurate increase in generation capacity as demand for electricity increases with the addition of more households to the grid and economic growth. One of the pivotal achievements in Ethiopia’s electrification journey is the significant boost in generation capacity.

Does Ethiopia have a reliable electricity supply?

In Ethiopia, research on electricity supply and reliability primarily focuses on urban areas. Recent studies by Aweke and Navrud (2022) and Hassen et al. (2022) reveal significant urban household responses to electricity utility tariffs and willingness to pay for improved service.

What non-electric energy sources do Ethiopian households pay for?

The primary outcome variable is expense on alternative energy sources to substitute electricity. In our study, the non-electric energy sources that households in rural Ethiopia pay for primarily include firewood, charcoal, kerosene, dung, crop residue, sawdust, and coal briquette.

Why is energy access important in Ethiopia?

Expanding access to energy across all regions of Ethiopia has also significantly improved the delivery and quality of essential services provided to the population.