On the outskirts of Accra, Ghana, business plans are only as final as the next electricity outage permits. In July, food tins at the Prime Pak Canning factory were positioned on the assembly line, ready to be sealed before export. Without warning, the machines came to a screeching halt, leaving entrepreneur Cyril Francis standing helplessly in the dark. Thirty per cent of the consignment spoiled.

"The worst part is not knowing when the blackouts will hit. When you least expect it, everything comes to a standstill," Mr. Francis told Africa Renewal from his factory, based in Dodowa, on the fringes of Ghana's capital city. "It is so frustrating and damaging to business production, not to mention our reputation with people who depend on us to deliver orders on time." [Africa Recovery, United Nations]

Having access to reliable and affordable electricity is a basic necessity to growing economies no matter if you are in Accra, Ghana or Athens, Greece.  When blackouts are routine, there is no activity after the sun sets.  Businesses stop, workers are jobless, children stop reading and the whole community suffers.