Access to electricity in rural areas of Western and Central Africa is a big problem and it is projected to be very low compared to Latin America and Caribbean rural areas. Based on the data provided, from 2035 to 2050, although an increase expected, the access to electricity in the rural region it is still very low when compared to Latin America/Caribbean.

Although both Latin America/Caribbean and West/Central Africa are known for being emerging economies experiencing economic growth and development, and face problems with lack of electricity access in rural regions, there are some key differences between these two regions that make the gap even more significant; Latin America/Caribbean is home to some of the largest economies in the world such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina and is making a lot of progress in the last few years. On the other hand, West/Central Africa is a more diverse region with a wider range of economies. Some countries in the region, such as Nigeria and Ghana, have relatively strong economies, while others, such as Sierra Leone and Liberia, are still struggling to recover from conflict and instability.

Based on the data provided, it is possible to track that the percentage of rural population with access to electricity in Western and Central Africa in the coming years it is still below 20%, while for Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to reach almost 80% in 2065. This evidences that progress in this matter for the Western and Central Africa region is much slower.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the significant discrepancy of access to electricity in rural areas of Western and Central Africa, including:

• High costs of connecting rural areas to the electricity grid
• Many rural areas are located in remote and difficult-to-access areas
• Lack of political will to invest in providing access to electricity in rural areas
• Limited resources available in many countries of Western and Central Africa

However, there are a number of opportunities for increasing access to electricity in rural areas and with continued investment in renewable energy technologies, off-grid solutions, and growing political commitment to universal access, it is possible to close this gap in the coming years.

Some of the proposed solutions are for providing more access to electricity in such regions are off-grid alternatives, which are listed below:

• Solar home systems to provide electricity for basic household needs, such as lighting, charging phones, and running small appliances.
• Solar lanterns, a type of solar light that is powered by a solar panel. It is portable and affordable and can be used reading, studying, and working.
• Microgrids are small-scale electricity grids that are not connected to the main power grid which are powered by a variety of sources, including solar, wind, and biomass to provide electricity to a community or a group of households in a rural area.
• Biomass-powered generator uses wood, crop residues, or animal manure. It is considered a more sustainable way to generate electricity than traditional fossil fuel generators, however, it can be more expensive to operate.

Although there is still a lot of work to be done in order to improve electricity access to the population living in the rural regions, especially of Western and Central Africa, some off-grid solutions have been already implemented and studies show that these solutions have been effective.

The World Bank found that solar home systems have a positive impact on education and health outcomes in rural areas of Africa as children are more likely to attend school and complete their education. Additionally, they are also less likely to suffer from diseases that are exacerbated by lack of electricity, such as malaria and respiratory infections. Another study by the African Development Bank (AfDB) found that microgrids have a positive impact on the quality of life in rural areas of Africa as households are more likely to have access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. They are also more likely to be connected to the internet and have access to digital services. Finally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) found that biomass-powered generators have a positive impact on the environment in rural areas of Africa. They produce fewer emissions than traditional fossil fuel generators and also help to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable development.

Finally, some recommendations for increasing access to electricity in rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean and especially Western and Central Africa are related to governmental actions. Governments and private investors should continue to invest in renewable energy technologies as its cost has been falling in recent years, making it more affordable. Additionally, governments in these regions should build political will by raising awareness of the economic and social benefits of access to electricity, especially for rural areas. Finally, governments should also create enabling environments for the deployment of renewable energy technologies and off-grid solutions. This includes providing clear and predictable policies, regulations, and incentives for renewable energy and off-grid solutions.

By taking these steps, it is possible to increase access to electricity in rural areas of Western and Central Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. This will have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people in these regions.