According to the International Energy Agency, only 290-million people out of a population of 915-million in sub-Saharan Africa have access to electricity.

Insufficient investments are being made in developing viable energy systems, while population growth is further exacerbating the increase of people without access to electricity.

The Africa Energy Summit, taking place in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday will host African Ministers of Energy, energy companies, investors and researchers, who will highlight the current status of energy in Africa.

The summit is organised by the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) and the Norwegian–African Business Association.

Ministers will underline the necessity of establishing a robust energy system, which will ensure electricity for the population and serve both the public and the private sectors.

Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in terms of energy resources, but lags behind in terms of energy supply.

To create growth and lift people out of poverty, summit organisers say it is essential to have access to stable electricity. Few from the developed world have taken into account the size of the challenge when developing energy systems in poor countries.

In energy aid, the focus should be on simple and immediate measures that will provide temporary and second-class solutions for the poor, rather than to focus all effort on the core task, which is to develop good energy systems that supply the population, both public and private sectors, with stable electricity in sufficient quantities.

“[There is, however,] an urgent need in sub-Saharan Africa for long-term capital investment in infrastructure. There is also a need for dedicated apparatus that help reduce the risks associated with the long investment horizon in energy developments,” says Norfund MD Kjell Roland.

Nearly 80% of all proposed energy projects are abandoned at an early stage for various reasons.