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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Top ten African countries with the highest electricity bills

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Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. In economics the efficiency of electrification links technological progress.

Electricity is all around us but two out of three people below the Sahara desert in Africa lack access to electricity. In economics, the efficiency of electricity and electrification links technological progress. Educational opportunities are restricted by daylight for 662 million people in Africa. Learn the truth about reliable affordable electricity in Africa.

The period of reliable and affordable access to electricity for businesses and households in Africa will be one of the highest priorities for stable economic growth.

Cooking on a wood powered stove

In economics, the efficiency of electrification links technological progress. The African continent is gifted with fossil fuels and renewable energy resources however; nearly 662 million Africans lack access to electricity and a life without electricity is a life with limited opportunities. 

Entrepreneurs cannot count on consistent power to operate equipment or access tools for communications and market development. Educational opportunities are restricted by daylight.


The top ten African countries with the highest electricity prices per watts.

Liberia

The Gambia

Sierra Leone

Togo

Niger

Madagascar

Burkina Faso

Central African Republic

Rwanda

Burundi


Electric power bills throughout Africa.

Power Africa’s approach considers three related but distinct challenges to bringing the vision of the project to life. Power must be available, meaning sufficient megawatts must be generated to meet people’s needs. It must be accessible so that even those communities that cannot be connected to national grids can still access electricity. And it must meet basic quality considerations, meaning natural resources and megawatts generated are efficiently managed to ensure optimal use.

In most countries in Africa, most households cannot afford to connect and pay tariffs for electricity access. This is why electricity access is often low. However, households and businesses with access often face multiple blackouts and brownouts per day. Electricity pricing varies widely from country to country, the cost of the service in Africa is often among the highest in the world.

Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity due to high electric bills and lack of fundamental facilities and systems.

Percentage of electricity access in Africa is as follows.

African Country Name Access to electricity % of population
Algeria 99.4
Angola 40.5
Benin 41.4
Botswana 60.6
Burundi 7.5
Burkina Faso 19.1
Cameroon 60
Cape Verde 92.61
Chad 8.83
Central African Republic 13.99
Egypt 100
Cote d'Ivoire 64.3
The Democratic Republic of the Congo 17.1
Republic of the Congo 56.57
Equatorial Guinea 67.89
Djibouti 51.78
Eritrea 46.68
Ethiopia 42.9
Guinea 33.5
The Gambia 47.76
Gabon 91.4
Ghana 79.3
Guinea-Bissau 14.66
Kenya 56
Liberia 19.8
Mauritania 41.65
Mali 35.07
Malawi 11
Lesotho 29.73
Libya 98.54
Madagascar 22.9
Mauritius 98.78
Morocco 100
Mozambique 24.2
Namibia 51.78
Nigeria 59.3
Niger 16.22
Rwanda 29.37
Sao Tome and Principe 65.44
Senegal 64.5
Sierra Leone 20.3
Seychelles 100
South Africa 84.2
Somalia 29.89
South Sudan 8.9
Sudan 38.53
eSwatini former Swaziland 65.79
Tanzania 32.7
Togo 46.93
Tunisia 100
Uganda 26.7
Zimbabwe 38.15
Zambia 27.22

Did you know? Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.