A transition to renewable energy in the Sahel

Faced with major climate and development challenges, access to renewable energy has become vital for hundreds of millions of Sahelians. In the Sahel, a region endowed with enormous potential, UNDP has set the ambitious goal of providing more than 150 million people with access to clean and affordable energy by 2025.

In Guinea, energy access stands at 18.1 percent, with 47.8 percent in urban areas and 2 percent in rural areas. As consumption is concentrated in urban areas, rural households have almost no access to energy.

Guinea is focusing on expanding access to renewable energy, particularly hydroelectric.

In contrast, The Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa, has already achieved self-sufficiency in electricity and is a leader in addressing climate change. It is also an example for other Sahelian countries.