Off-grid and self-generated electricity in Lagos State has surpassed Nigeria’s entire grid-connected capacity, a new report by the Africa Finance Corporation has revealed, raising concerns over the growing energy access crisis in the country.
It also stated that if current trends persist, the number of Africans without electricity access could stay unchanged between now and 2030.
The report, titled ‘State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025’, and obtained by our correspondent on Monday, noted that the continent is trapped in an energy bottleneck, with more Africans at risk of remaining without electricity by the end of the decade unless urgent action is taken.
The latest development, however, contradicts plans by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and other partners to connect 300 million people to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Both institutions have committed to spending $40bn to accelerate development and reduce poverty on the continent.
The programme aims to combine grid expansion, off-grid solutions, and policy reforms to bridge Africa’s growing energy divide.
