ELECTRICITY

Lack of sufficient and reliable electricity is one of the most critical bottlenecks to transformation and business investments in developing countries. Limited access to electricity consumption also affects the well-being of large, diverse segments of the population, and invites inefficient and environmentally damaging practices such as a reliance on costly and polluting technologies.

SOAS-ACE has been generating evidence on corruption problems affecting the electricity sectors in Bangladesh, Lebanon, Nigeria and Tanzania. In Bangladesh, we examined subsidy structures and their impact on investor risk in the sector. We are currently testing our horizontal checking framework as applied to the process of investigation of corruption in power contracts.

The Lebanon project explored solutions to collectivise the power supply and push out generator owners. In Nigeria, we identified an opportunity for small and medium enterprises to group together to access a mini-grid and improve supply reliability. In Tanzania, we investigated the state-owned electricity supply company’s financial vulnerabilities and rental capture while assessing alternative energy technologies to enhance electricity access and efficiency.