A Research Brief Based on EfD Discussion Paper 22-06, Unmasking the Mystery of the Varying Benefits from Electrification (2022), by Nicholas Kilimani and Edward Bbaale (Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda) and Marc A. Jeuland (Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA).
Key findings:
While electricity is a key to economic development, nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live without electricity.
This study analyses the socioeconomic benefits of electrification in Uganda.
The findings show that grid connectivity increases the number of work hours, female employment, household expenditure (meaning that the household is able to buy more of the goods that it needs), and key educational outcomes.
Furthermore, the benefits from grid connectivity increase with time.
However, achieving the benefits of electrification requires complementary infrastructure to be in place, such as markets, roads, and other supportive services.
