The World Bank has said that about 600 million people risk continued power shortages in Africa, as the continent may continue to grapple with electricity deprivation by 2030.

The World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Ms Anna Bjerde, made this disclosure in a statement on Thursday during an International Development Association (IDA) meeting in Abuja.

According to the global financial institution, the ongoing energy crisis in Africa coupled with the aftermath effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to threaten access to electricity by many people.

Bjerde also noted that central to the engagement with African leaders was the challenge of energy access.

• “Energy access is an excellent example of what can be accomplished. It is also an issue that African leaders have prioritised since 2000, and access to energy has more than doubled across Africa.
• “Despite significant investment and progress at the current pace, close to 600 million Africans are likely to remain without electricity by 2030, with two-thirds of those living in countries currently classified as protected.
• “Together, we can do better to reach universal electricity access.
• “By the end of the decade, the rate of electricity access growth will be to triple, this is doable and the World Bank Group is ready to accompany you in the journey from ambition to reality,” she said.