A World Bank report on sustainable energy finds that South Africa is among the world’s emerging leaders on renewable energy and access, but much of sub-Saharan Africa lags in developing the policies and regulatory framework to build a sustainable energy future.

The RISE (Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy) report is the first of its kind in grading 111 nations on three main areas of energy access, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. It is designed to be a helpful tool for governments and policy specialists to improve access to sustainable energy. The report was produced as a contribution to the Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

As many as 40 percent of Sub-Saharan African countries in the RISE report have shown limited attention to the policies needed to accelerate energy access, the authors note. Exceptions include Kenya, which has a strong policy framework, as well as Tanzania and Uganda.

Nigeria and Ethiopia still need to make progress, the report said, noting there must be a better balance between making power affordable and supporting utilities that need to invest to provide service.

“The world is in a race to secure a clean energy transition – one that will deliver energy services for everyone, create jobs, ensure health care and education, and allow economies to grow,” said Rachel Kyte, CEO and Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General on Sustainable Energy for All.  “Increased use of renewable energy is a key element in that transition.”

To view the World Bank RISE report, or access the data, see this link.

Image: RISE