By Abdullahi Lukman
More than 655 million people worldwide remain without access to electricity, while about two billion still rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, putting the world off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) on universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030, a new global report has warned.
The latest edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, which includes data for 2023 and 2024, shows that although renewable energy deployment continues to grow, progress in expanding electricity and clean cooking access has slowed significantly, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the report, more than 560 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity, while about 970 million have no access to clean cooking technologies. It noted that the pace of electrification in the region must triple if universal access is to be achieved by the end of the decade.
Despite these challenges, the report recorded notable gains in renewable energy, which now accounts for more than 30 per cent of global electricity generation. Renewable energy-generating capacity also reached a record 544 watts per person globally, while international public financial support for clean energy in developing countries increased slightly to 24.6 billion dollars in 2024.
However, the report warned that current progress remains insufficient to meet global energy access and efficiency targets. It noted that improvements in energy efficiency have slowed, while financing for clean energy in the world’s poorest countries declined by 11 per cent to 3.7 billion dollars in 2024.
The report identified affordability as a major barrier to electricity access, saying many households remain unable to afford connection fees, wiring costs and basic energy services even where infrastructure exists. It called for targeted subsidies, innovative financing mechanisms and expanded investment in least-cost electrification solutions.
It also highlighted the growing importance of renewable energy technologies, including off-grid solar systems, mini-grids, electric cooking, bioethanol and biogas, as practical solutions for expanding energy access while strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
On clean cooking, the report said nearly one-quarter of the world’s population still relies on traditional fuels such as charcoal, firewood, kerosene and coal, contributing to an estimated three million deaths annually from household air pollution. Without accelerated action, about 1.8 billion people could still lack access to clean cooking by 2030.
The report urged governments and development partners to strengthen political commitment, improve policy coordination and increase investments in renewable energy, particularly in low-income countries where access gaps remain widest.
Commenting on the findings, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, said expanding access to electricity and clean cooking would improve health, economic opportunities and community resilience.
Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera, said recent global energy shocks have demonstrated that countries with stronger renewable energy capacity are better positioned to withstand economic disruptions, stressing the need for greater financial support for developing countries.
The report was jointly produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO). It will be presented to global policymakers on July 8, 2026, during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.
