Kenyan Government on Track to Achieve Universal Access to Electricity by 2030

Posted on : Tuesday , 29th April 2025

IEA's latest Energy Policy Review of the country notes that the country has adopted ambitious implementation plans and electrified using clean energy technologies, which have established it as a leader in the region.

Urban regions have already achieved full access to electricity, according to the research, which shows that access rates increased from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2023.  

Since its launch in 2015, the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) has made a significant contribution to the provision of electricity to 9 million rural residents and to the reduction in the number of people living without access to electricity by almost half.

A number of ongoing initiatives are aimed at connecting 280,000 additional households by the year 2025 across the country.

In addition, the IEA report highlights Kenya's leading role in off-grid solar, with the country accounting for nearly three-quarters of all solar home systems sold in East Africa in 2023.

There is no doubt that off-grid solutions are playing an increasingly important role in Kenya's electrification strategy, especially in remote and underserved communities.

As of now, a mini-grid or standalone system powered by solar power is currently installed in one in five households.

Alongside J Opiyo Wandayi, minister of energy and petroleum, IEA deputy executive director Mary Burce Warlick introduced the report, saying, "Kenya is demonstrating how the strategic deployment of clean energy technologies and electrification in end-use sectors can significantly improve the lives of millions of the most vulnerable people in the world."

Kenya is presently reviewing its own National Energy Policy, which coincides with the release of the report.

With regard to the Draft National Energy Policy 2025-2034, Wandayi points out that it intends to address the remaining challenges associated with energy security, access, and affordability, as well as promoting clean energy solutions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and drive green industrialization.

The majority of Kenya's electricity is generated by low-emission technologies, with nearly 90% coming from renewable sources such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar.

Geothermal energy, which makes up about one-third of the nation's total electricity producing capacity, has long been a pioneer in Africa.

Kenya's initiatives to upgrade and enhance its electrical system are also highlighted in the IEA research.