Electricity: 655m still in darkness as WHO, partners warn of Global Energy, health crisis

By Chioma Obinna

A new global report released on Wednesday has revealed that over 655 million people across the world still live without electricity, while nearly two billion continue to rely on polluting fuels for cooking, exposing them to severe health risks and widening inequalities.

The report tagged: “Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2026”, jointly released by the World Health Organisation, (WHO), International Energy Agency, World Bank Group and other global partners, warned that the world is dangerously off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 target of universal access to affordable, reliable and clean energy by 2030.

The report revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicentre of the crisis, with more than 560 million people without electricity and 970 million lacking access to clean cooking technologies.

WHO said the implications are dire, especially for women and children who bear the brunt of indoor air pollution caused by charcoal, firewood and kerosene.