Enhancing Urban Electricity Access: A Comprehensive Study of Challenges and Solutions for Nigeria And Sub-Saharan Africa


1.0 Introduction/Background

The urban electricity supply in Sub-Saharan African urban areas, especially in Nigeria, presents a complicated and multi-layered challenge characterized by ongoing deficiencies, untrustworthy service, and widespread energy poverty. Nigeria, being one of the most populated countries in Africa, faces intense electricity supply shortfalls despite its extensive energy resources (Blimpo, Postepska, and Xu, 2020). Urban regions in Nigeria continue to face persistent challenges in fulfilling electricity demands, hindering economic development, social advancement, and environmental sustainability. The advancement of the electricity infrastructure in Nigeria has been inadequate, marked by underinvestment, poor maintenance, and inefficient management of existing facilities (Rateau and Choplin, 2020). This has resulted in a persistent gap between electricity supply and demand, leading to widespread blackouts and unreliable service, especially in urban centers. Additionally, aging power plants, insufficient transmission and distribution networks, and losses due to theft and technical deficiencies further exacerbate the issue. The lack of access to modern energy services disproportionately affects low-income urban communities, perpetuating economic disparities and impeding economic development.

Scholars have extensively analyzed the urban electricity supply challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting a range of infrastructural, financial, and governance issues. Financial factors such as inadequate maintenance, high energy generation costs, and tariff structures that do not reflect the true cost of electricity production also contribute to the challenge. Governance issues, including corruption, policy inconsistency, and regulatory weaknesses, hinder the implementation of effective solutions (Blimpo, Postepska, and Xu, 2020). Addressing the urban electricity supply challenge in Nigeria requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses infrastructural deficiencies, promotes investment in renewable energy sources, improves governance and regulatory frameworks, enhances institutional capacities, and fosters public-private partnerships. Such efforts are crucial not only for ensuring reliable electricity access but also for driving sustainable urban development and economic progress in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The rationale for investigating urban electricity supply in Sub-Saharan African urban areas, with a specific focus on Nigeria, is to comprehensively understand the challenges, dynamics, and potential solutions associated with ensuring reliable and sustainable electricity access in urban regions. This research aims to address the critical need for improved electricity infrastructure and service delivery, considering the significant impact of electricity access on economic development, social well-being, and environmental sustainability (Ogunro and Afolabi, 2022). The research seeks to analyze the fundamental factors contributing to the current state of urban electricity supply in Nigeria, including historical developments, infrastructural deficiencies, financial barriers, governance issues, and economic disparities that shape the electricity landscape in urban centers. Furthermore, the research aims to identify innovative strategies and best practices for enhancing urban electricity supply in Sub-Saharan Africa by drawing lessons from successful interventions implemented in similar settings globally. This involves exploring mechanisms for infrastructure investment, technology adoption, regulatory reform, and institutional strengthening to overcome existing challenges and improve service reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. Finally, the research seeks to assess the socio-economic implications of inadequate electricity access in urban areas, particularly its impact on livelihoods, productivity, health outcomes, education, and environmental sustainability (Falchetta et al., 2021). Understanding these implications is essential for informing policy interventions and investment decisions aimed at addressing electricity access as a key driver of inclusive urban development. By advancing knowledge in this area, the research contributes to efforts aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
[Note: This background writeup was revised with AI]

1.1 Research Objectives

To evaluate the concept of urban electricity supply.
To identify the options for enhancing urban electricity access in Nigeria and Saharan Africa.
To assess the impact of enhancing urban electricity supply on the development of Sub-Saharan African cities like Nigeria.
To recommend strategies to improve the urban electricity supply in Sub-Saharan African cities like Nigeria.

2.0. Methodological Consideration

2.1 Method

Mixed research design (quantitative & qualitative)

(A) Proposed Interview Questions

What do you understand by the concept of urban electricity supply?
From your experience, are there options for enhancing urban electricity access in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa? If Yes/No, why or why not?
Will the enhancement of urban electricity supply impact on the development of sub-Saharan African cities like Nigeria? If Yes/No, how will it/How will it not?
Are there challenges to enhancing urban electricity supply and its impact on the development of sub-Saharan African cities like Nigeria? If Yes/No, what are the challenges/why are there no challenges?
How do you think urban electricity supply in sub-Saharan African cities like Nigeria can be improved?

(B) Proposed Construct for the Questionnaire Development

Independent variables;

Renewable Energy Deployment
Smart Grid Technologies
Investment in Grid Modernization
Electrification of Informal Settlements
Integration of Energy Storage Technologies

For the dependent variable;

Economic Development
Social Welfare & Quality of Life Improvement
Environmental Sustainability
Technological Advancement and Innovation
Employment Opportunities and Skills Development


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