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Since 2000, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has seen rapid economic growth, expanding population, improving social conditions and progressive political liberalization. On the basis of these trends, SSA energy use has risen by 45% since 2000.

In this framework, making energy reliable and widely affordable for the population has been and continues to be a key challenge in the sub-continent. Efforts to promote energy access are gaining momentum all over the sub-continent, but are outpaced by population growth. In order to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of universal energy access by 2030, substantial investments will be needed in both on-grid and off-grid energy solutions. New energy financing schemes might also be needed to foster investments.

Notwithstanding the importance and size of these challenges, SSAโ€™s energy sector remains one of the most poorly understood parts of the global energy system. In this context, the project aims to contribute to the understanding of SSAโ€™s current and future energy challenges and opportunities. In particular, the project will explore the potential for a joint development of both renewable energy technologies and natural gas to ensure an economically-efficient and reliable solution of both the challenges of energy access and environmental sustainability.