Increasing energy access and empowering communities in Africa

A pioneering EU-Africa collaboration has delivered practical energy access solutions and nurtured their adoption by widespread replication and an innovative incubator programme.

Climate Change and Environment

Energy

Many renewable energy solutions exist to increase energy access and support a clean energy transition, but deployment and sustainability may not be feasible without consideration of local contexts. The EU-funded SESA(opens in new window) project is fostering collaborative innovation by connecting African and European partners, local communities and entrepreneurs to co-develop and test practical renewable energy solutions. Tailoring solutions to local needs while raising awareness and building skills, SESA is not only increasing energy access but also generating local opportunities for economic development and social cohesion in Africa.

Co-creation roadmap: innovation, business models, replicability and scale-up

SESA first identified innovations with strong potential for widespread adoption and tested them in living labs (pilots) in diverse socio-economic settings in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco and South Africa. To further foster growth and adoption, a start-up incubator programme and seed funding supported 20 SMEs to implement SESA technologies and business models. The incubator programme provided tailored growth support, capacity building and mentoring to strengthen financial sustainability. According to project coordinator Magdalena Sikorowska of ICLEI European Secretariat(opens in new window): “Eight sustainable business models were developed, implemented and then replicated across the project countries. This ensured that the renewable energy technologies and business models were fine-tuned for maximum impact when scaled to Tanzania, Namibia, Rwanda and Nigeria.” Scalability was further supported by standardised implementation plans and customised policy roadmaps addressing country-specific financial, legal, regulatory and social challenges.

Innovation drives economic, social and environmental impact

E-bike rentals, a pay-per-use solar photovoltaic (PV) cold storage room, pay-as-you-go e-scooters, direct-sale of cookstoves, lease-to-own solar irrigation, and pay-as-you-go and subscription models for mini-grids and/or solar generators were the eight business models selected. “SESA’s co-created solutions have been implemented across nine African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania,” notes Sikorowska. Among the many exciting outcomes, solar PV micro-grids in Ghana have electrified 54 homes, the country has begun a solar battery recycling initiative, and some Ghanian schools have adopted biofuel cookstoves. In Malawi, 13 solar irrigation systems were sold to small-holder farmers and 18 bio-cookers using biomass briquettes produced via a local supply chain have been deployed. The more than 3 000 improved biofuel cookstoves sold in Rwanda and relying on agro-waste pellets have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 48 000 tonnes. Finally, the 40 e-scooters deployed in Morocco are decarbonising urban transport.

Lessons learned and the way forward

The project revealed essential elements for successful adoption of innovative renewable energy technologies in Africa. “We found that community engagement in co-designing solutions is critical,” says Sikorowska. Co-creation ensured technologies were aligned with community needs and affordability. Economic barriers were reduced with flexible payment models and local supply chains, the latter of which also increased autonomy. Furthermore, integrating circular economy approaches addressed ecological risks while creating jobs and reducing waste. Finally, awareness campaigns and training deepened climate and environmental understanding, fostering adoption. SESA has created a variety of resources to support deployment of its renewable energy solutions. Its open access toolbox(opens in new window), including its catalogue of sustainable energy solutions, and its e-learning platform(opens in new window) will help diverse stakeholders explore, design, manage and implement cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. SESA also created policy roadmaps and briefs based on a barrier analysis leveraging nine case studies. These can serve as starting points for policy discussion and development. SESA’s technologies and business models have increased sustainable energy access in Africa, empowering communities and driving economic and social progress. Their replicability along with resources to support deployment and sustainability ensure long-term impact.