Energy shortages in developing countries can have major impacts. In Iraq, after the war, electricity shortages destabilised the new government and electricity production was targeted by insurgents.
Even under peaceful conditions, as in the Dominican Republic, failures in the electricity sector can result in protests and conflict.
According to a June 2015 report from the Africa Progress Panel, over 600 million people
in Africa still did not have access to modern energy. They predict that it will take until
2080 to for every African to have access to reliable constant electricity
According to the Wall Street Journal, about half of Nigeria’s electricity is either lost or stolen over dilapidated power lines. Around a fifth of Ghana's electricity is also lost due to poor infrastructure.
According to the Africa Progress Panel, lack of access to energy services of adequate quality and quantity:
prevents sustained dynamic growth
prevents building inclusive societies
prevents progress towards eradicating poverty
stops health services providing preventative and curative services
hampers schooling and children's chances to escape poverty
