Object of the conference “Social Determinants of Energy Access in Africa”

Access to electric power is a major long-term challenge for developing countries. Africa in particular suffers from a large deficit in this area. As of today less than 40% of the population has access to electricity. This average value masks huge disparities across countries. While in some countries, like Tunisia, South Africa, Cap Verde almost all households have access to electricity, others are still in the dark like Guinea, Liberia, Mali, etc.
Some obstacles are obviously technical, related for example to the low population density (15 times lower than in Europe) or the availability of energy sources. But besides these technical factors, social determinants do play a role. For example, some communities are better able to act collectively to maintain community infrastructure. Studying social determinants poses specific challenges to researchers. The notions used are harder to define and measure. The required data are not always available and so on.
The present workshop has two parts:

– In the first part, leading researchers in the field will present current research to broad audience. They will present the latest evidence and explain how social determinants can be linked to electricity access.
-The second part of the workshop will bring together researchers, big players in the electricity industry and decision makers.
Scientific Organizers: Guillaume Hollard and Omar SENE – Ecole polytechnique

Download the conference’s programm

Practical information

Date : Jeudi 15 décembre 2016 – 9h30 à 18h.

Place : Collège de France -11 Place Marcelin Berthelot – 75005 Paris

Compulsory registration here >>>