Objective
- To develop a comprehensive overview of available data on energy access for displaced people in Africa, reveal critical data gaps, and underscore the need for detailed, context-sensitive evidence to inform interventions affecting health, education, and livelihoods.
Method
- The study used desk-based research to identify available data on energy access in displacement contexts across Africa, drawing on publications, reports, and online sources
- Identified data were compiled into a database and assessed using a data quality assessment framework to evaluate reliability and usability
- The data were then visualised and analysed to identify patterns, compare contexts, and highlight key gaps and limitations in existing evidence
Results
- 94% of displaced persons lack access to electricity
- 81% of displaced persons lack access to clean cooking
- Overall there is significant disparity depending on context: access to both electricity and clean cooking ranges from nearly no access up to an access rate of 100% across displacement settings on the African continent
- Outside of South Africa and countries in the Northern regions, access to both clean cooking and electricity for displaced persons is very low
- There are major limitations in existing data, including poor quality and fragmentation
Discussion and recommendations for future research
- Limits of existing data: Current datasets lack detail and often overlook lived experiences, obscuring inequalities
- Value of visual tools: Data visualisation clarifies complex information and supports comparison and decision-making
- Need for improved data collection: Better data quality and inclusivity are crucial for designing context-sensitive energy interventions
- Including displaced populations: Involving refugees and displaced people helps ensure research reflects lived realities and reduces knowledge gaps
