Africa is not unlike a developed country in the way that it requires electricity for most of its important functions. In developed countries, electricity is used in slightly different ways than in Africa, where energy is a prerequisite for development. Everything, including education, healthcare, etc. is dependent on energy, as Africa becomes increasingly more active with and dependent on ICT. Lack of cheap access to electricity, factoring in the costs of poverty penalty faced by residents, makes this a costly barrier to growth. Read more here.