Empowered Africa: Solar energy for the Sustainable Development Goals

Most of us take electricity for granted. Turning on the light switch is like turning on the tap. Yet across Africa hundreds of millions of people lack access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity. And it’s not just about turning on the lights; energy security supports education activities, enhances healthcare services, and underpins economic growth. Electricity doesn’t just power, it empowers. Access to electricity in Africa remains unacceptably low, while the opportunities for solar energy are enormous.

And now we ask: what if we could take these opportunities even further, beyond energy - beyond SDG 7 - to address multiple Sustainable Development Goals synergistically? How far can unconnected agricultural communities in rural Africa take the benefits of electrification?

Join us on the Global Stage, in partnership with NORAD, where we will explore how innovative energy initiatives are impacting livelihoods across Africa - boosting energy access, food security, and climate change resilience. We will also address some of the barriers to uptake, and debate what Norway can do to support us as a global society in capitalising on one of the greatest energy opportunities on the planet.