Solar energy in sub-Saharan Africa

Latest Articles

09/06/2025
Jörg Ankel-Peters, Gunther Bensch, Alexandra Köngeter, Mascha Rauschenbach, Maximiliane Sievert

This perspective article discusses whether energy access programs in rural Sub-Saharan Africa reach the poor in a way that most policy actors claim. We examine on- and off-grid electrification as well as improved cooking.

Solar irrigation: A game changer for climate-burdened rural communities

04/06/2025
Isaiah Esipisu
Article

Solar irrigation has become a reliable, relatively low-cost, clean-energy solution for agricultural water management in areas with high incident solar radiation.

Scaling Solar Irrigation Through Living Labs: A Story of Evidence, Innovation, and Collaboration

02/06/2025
Amare Haileslasie, Principal Researcher
Article

What happens when farmers, financiers, innovators, and policymakers are brought together in one room? A recent multi-stakeholder dialogue held in Hawassa, Ethiopia on scaling solar-powered irrigation offered an answer.

Nigerian and Kenyan farmers can be first step to making rural mini grids more profitable and affordable

30/05/2025
Temilade Sesan, University of Ibadan and Lucy H. Baker, The Open University
Article

In Nigeria and Kenya, many small to medium farms and rural grain-milling businesses are not connected to the national electricity grid. They still use petrol or diesel generators for power.

“Right to Repair”: A Case for Regulations Supporting PUE Consumers and SDG 7”

27/05/2025
Moses Machel Nyakoyo
Article

Achieving SDG 7, which aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, requires more than just deploying infrastructure. It also depends on empowering consumers of renewable energy solutions—particularly those involved in Productive Uses of Energy (PUE)—to maintain and repair their systems effectively.

The Hidden Costs of Forex Funding: Do Women Pay a Higher Price?

25/05/2025
David Crush, Alexander Sotiriou, Lucia Spaggiari
Article

In 2024, CGAP and MFR research explored trends and challenges in trying to close the gender gap for small borrowers, specifically examining how different institutional structures link to different outcomes.

Nigerian president’s solar panels stir debate over renewables for the rich

23/05/2025
Vivian Chime
Article

Solar systems are a solution to Nigeria’s frequent power cuts and inadequate grid coverage – but only for those who can afford them

How Electricity is Powering Value Addition in Tanzania’s Villages

19/05/2025
World Bank
Article

The remote village of Doda has a story to tell. Two years ago, artisans like Twalib Matata toiled with basic tools to carve a living from the region’s distinctive Tanga stone, only to have to sell it unprocessed for meager returns.

Ending poverty without compromising climate goals

16/05/2025
Jarmo Kikstra and Ansa Heyl
Article

With climate change intensifying and billions of people still lacking basic necessities, addressing both challenges simultaneously is not only possible but essential.