A study tracking 3,139 power plants in Africa reveals that fossil fuels continue to dominate the continent's electricity generation, with only about 57% of the population having access to electricity, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve the United Nations goal of universal access to affordable electricity by 2030, rapid expansion of electricity generation is necessary. However, this expansion poses challenges related to water resources and climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, particularly coal-fired ones.

A report indicates that while Africa has seen growth in hydropower generation, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges with chronic power shortages, frequent grid failures, and a substantial electricity access deficit, despite having considerable hydropower resources.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have successfully connected over 50 million people to electricity through their Mission 300 initiative, which spans 40 African countries. This effort aims to accelerate electricity access across the continent.

According to Moneyweb, recent electricity price hikes are significantly impacting families, pushing them further into financial difficulties. The focus has shifted from issues of load shedding to the increasing costs of electricity, which are becoming unaffordable for many households.

Experts have called on the Federal Government to enhance the implementation of clean cooking policies and increase investment in electric cooking. They warn that millions of households continue to depend on polluting fuels, which pose risks to public health, contribute to climate change, and worsen poverty.

Nigeria's Federal Government is set to spend N358 billion on electricity subsidies in the first quarter of 2026, even as the country continues to experience persistent blackouts. This expenditure occurs while electricity tariffs remain frozen, according to Punch.