Ethiopia Targets 4.4 Million Off-Grid Household Connections by 2035

Key Takeaways

• 4.4 million off-grid household connections are targeted by 2035 under National Electrification Program 3.0.
• October 27 saw the Ministry of Water and Energy launch the programme in Addis Ababa.
• 2035 is the revised universal-access goal after the earlier 2025 target was missed.
• 44% of households met the minimum Tier 1 service threshold in 2025, compared with 65% basic access.
• Private operators are invited to participate in mini-grid operation and maintenance.
• Agricultural processing, irrigation, milling, textiles and digital infrastructure are priority productive uses.
• Distribution weaknesses, financing constraints and limited enterprise credit remain barriers to reliable supply and equipment adoption.

Market Impact

• The programme shifts attention from connections alone toward electricity that supports production and public services.
• Mini-grid participation creates a stated role for private operators. Productive use also depends on equipment finance and coordinated network investment.

Key Numbers

• 4.4 million — off-grid connections — programme target.
• 2035 — universal access — revised deadline.
• 44% — Tier 1 households — service-quality baseline.

Business Signal

• Commercial results depend on reliable delivery and enterprise financing, beyond the number of connections.