Policy Logics and Design Frameworks in Four International Interventions on Electricity Access in Africa: A Text-Based Analysis
This research provides a systematic review of major international interventions dedicated to addressing electricity access challenges in Africa and analyzes the underlying policy logics and design frameworks of four representative interventions. The findings are intended to inform the design of future international interventions, particularly in formulating electricity-access objectives, devising implementation strategies, and mobilizing effective financing.
Achieving global electricity access is a crucial component of SDG 7, with a particular emphasis on increasing electricity access in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the beginning of this century, various international interventions focused on addressing Africa’s electricity access have been proposed by different international organizations and countries, leading to decades of practical implementation. These international interventions follow different strategies and approaches, accumulating a wealth of practices.
This research focuses on interventions, programs, and projects explicitly aimed at promoting “electricity access in Africa,” led by countries or international organizations and implemented across the continent. Specifically, the research addresses the following questions: As of the end of 2023, what are the representative international interventions dedicated to improving electricity access in Africa? How are these interventions designed? What are their main components and objectives? Which technological pathways do they cover? Furthermore, what cooperation mechanisms and financing models have been adopted during their implementation?
China, as a major source of investment and a key trading partner for African countries, has long been actively engaged in international development cooperation projects in the fields of climate change and renewable energy across Africa. At the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (2023), the Chinese government announced the launch of the “Africa Solar Belt” Project for South-South Cooperation on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as the “Africa Solar Belt” Project). This initiative represents the first official program from a developing country—apart from those led by developed countries and relevant organizations—explicitly aimed at addressing Africa’s electricity access challenge. Unlike previous development programs, the “Africa Solar Belt” Project was launched with a clear, quantifiable target: to provide electricity to 50,000 unelectrified households in Africa within three years, supported by a public funding pool of RMB 100 million. Notably, this research is written at a time that coincides with the proposal and initial implementation of the “Africa Solar Belt” Project. It is hoped that the research findings and insights presented herein will contribute to its effective advancement and successful implementation.
