CASE STUDIES

How Energy Access Improves Living Conditions in Cameroon: A Case Study by Fraym

In January 2023, The African Development Bank engaged Fraym to measure impact of its project to strengthen and extend Cameroon’s Electricity Transmission and Distribution Networks covering eight of the country’s ten regions.

About

The AfDB-funded project to Strengthen and Extend Cameroon’s Electricity Transmission and Distribution Networks was launched in September 2010 with the goal of increasing access to reliable electricity and improving the country’s economic and social development framework. The project covered eight of Cameroon’s ten regions, and by the time it was completed in December 2022, the rural electrification rate had increased from 3.5% in 2007 to 24%.

The Solution

Impact assessment is a valuable tool for understanding the benefits and drawbacks of a project. It can help to identify the cross-cutting impact on the environment, society, and the economy. By understanding the effects, decision-makers can make determine if the objectives were met.

By comparing data from 2011 and 2022, Fraym was able to assess changes in people’s living conditions within 20 km of the project sites, such as additional people employed in professional and sales occupations, and people with access to the Internet.

The analysis found that:

193,000 additional women completed at least primary education
76,000 additional women were employed
Among IDPs, household demand for electricity in camps lags that of demand outside of camps

High Resolution Impact Mapping

Access to Electricity

This map illustrates the impact of increased energy access on local communities, and particularly vulnerable groups such as women and youth.

Energy Access in Bamenda

This map illustrates the inclusive impact of energy access on local communities in Bamenda.

Change in Electricity Access

1.1M additional households are now connected to electricity in Bamenda.

Approximately

3

M

additional households have access to the internet

Approximately

1

M

additional households have piped in drinking water

Approximately

3

M

additional households use advanced cooking fuel

Conclusion

The impact assessment showed that the Cameroon electrification project had a significant positive impact on the community. The project increased access to reliable electricity, which led to improvements in education, health care, and economic development. The project also helped to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for people in the community.

Fraym uses a variety of methods to provide a comprehensive picture of a project’s impact on the lives and livelihoods of communities. This information can be used by project developers, governments, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about future projects. If this can be helpful to your organization’s efforts, then please let us know and we will work to get our analysis in your hands.