A new UN assessment shows that roughly one in three Afghans have reliable electricity, with rural areas faring especially poorly—less than 20%. The data underscores decades of conflict and political instability that have left Afghanistan among the most energy-insecure countries in the world. Health centers, schools, and businesses struggle to function, and households face higher costs and lost opportunities due to unreliable power. The urban-rural divide is stark: cities may have some service, but rural communities rely on sporadic, expensive, or informal options. My take is that without immediate, sustained investment in both grid expansion and off-grid solutions, Afghanistan will continue to slip further behind in development, with lasting impacts on health, education, and economic growth. Priorities should include empowering local energy solutions like solar mini-grids and home systems, predictable international financing, transparent governance, and private-public partnerships to scale affordable, resilient electricity. Climate resilience must be built into any plan, and data must be improved so aid and policy can track progress. In short, energy access is foundational; without it, every other development effort will struggle to take root. Opinion: this is a humanitarian crisis in the making and demands urgent, coordinated action from Afghan authorities and the international community alike.