Africa stands at a critical juncture in its journey of development. While the continent holds vast biodiversity potential, the energy gap remains a significant obstacle, especially in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, where 80% of the 775 million people reside without electricity.
According to the International Energy Agency, this lack of access continues to stall progress in sectors critical to the continent’s future, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and health. Women, who contribute roughly 50% of Africa’s GDP, also remain underutilized, and the growing disparity between funding needs and availability further compounds the problem.
Yet, amid these challenges lies an immense opportunity, one that can be unlocked through the power of collaborative ecosystems, adoption to renewable energy, and innovative funding models. As African economies navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, strategic partnerships and purposeful investment are proving to be essential levers in driving the continent’s sustainable growth.
Catalyzing change through Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystems
Since the early 2000s, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has been at the forefront of initiatives designed to expand energy access in Africa. Their Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) presents a collaborative approach that can drive profound change. This model connects stakeholders across East Africa, particularly in agriculture, to boost the Productive Use of Solar Energy (PUSE) in hard-to-reach communities. By integrating aquaculture, dairy, and horticulture value chains, DREEM fosters innovation, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability.
According to Robert Ddamulira, Mott Foundation’s Program Officer for Advancing Climate Change Solutions, “The DREEM model exemplifies the power of building a collaborative ecosystem to boost the productive use of solar energy in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. This approach fosters innovation and resilience, particularly in sectors where individual actors may struggle to effect meaningful change by forging strategic connections among stakeholders across the agriculture value chain.”
Ddamulira said, “The model not only addresses energy challenges but also aligns itself with climate action, reducing reliance on diesel generators and cutting harmful environment emissions. We focus on last-mile users ensuring that marginalized communities, often excluded from national development agendas, can access and benefit from clean energy solutions. This inclusivity strengthens local economies, improves health outcomes, and accelerates progress toward a sustainable, climate-resilient future.” Ddamulira emphasized.
Strategic Collaboration: The Backbone of Sustainable Solutions
One of the key insights emerging from the recent DREEM partner engagement, held by Innovation Village in collaboration with Heifer International, is the pivotal role of strategic partnerships in bridging Africa’s energy gap. Attendees, including prominent figures like Neal Hegarty, Vice President of Programs at the Mott Foundation, and representatives from Ashoka, Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), EED Advisory, Worldwide Fund for Nature and Africa Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), emphasized that effective collaboration across the ecosystem is essential for scale.
Joyce Irungu, Director at EED Advisory pointed to the significant funding gap in Africa’s renewable energy sector, highlighting that only 10% of the $250 million needed is currently available. More concerning, much of this funding is going to foreign entities. To change this, African organizations must be empowered to absorb and manage funds.
“We need to equip local organizations with the frameworks and support necessary to utilize available funds effectively,” says Irungu. This includes tailoring funding requirements to local contexts and offering long-term technical assistance to entrepreneurs.
According to Joseph Murabula, Executive Chief Officer at Kenya Climate Innovation (KCIC), “The work of KCIC, has supported over 3,500 renewable energy entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of this approach. KCIC’s efforts focus on building the capacity of entrepreneurs, especially in underserved remote areas. Adding, mentorship is often more critical than immediate capital. “Entrepreneurs must understand that expert guidance and support are key to long-term success.” Murabula added.
Energy Access: A catalyst for Agricultural Transformation
In Uganda, Heifer International has for the past years demonstrated how energy access can accelerate agricultural productivity. Alternative Solar energy solutions introduced by Heifer to dairy farmers have improved milk preservation, reduced emissions, and enhanced productivity. With only 22% of Ugandans connected to the national grid, these off-grid solutions are transformational. William Matovu, Country Director for Heifer Uganda, emphasizes that “the introduction of solar energy centers has allowed farmers to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods.”
“Beyond solar, Heifer is also exploring biogas as a renewable energy alternative, further empowering farmers in the country where access to main power grid remains limited. This holistic approach aligns with Heifer’s mission to end hunger while caring for the planet, showcasing how energy access can act as a powerful enabler for broader socio-economic development” Matovu said.
Empowering Africa’s Women and Entrepreneurs
Africa’s economic future cannot be unlocked without tapping into its greatest potential, its women and young entrepreneurs.
Arthur Mukembo, Lead, FutureLab at Innovation Village, stresses that women, who contribute around half of Africa’s GDP, remain underutilized. Empowering them, along with fostering entrepreneurial talent across the continent, is crucial to achieving sustainable growth. Highlighting the four interconnected pillars needed to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem, Mukembo said, the Innovation Village is committed to developing productive talent, ensuring enterprise viability, stimulating markets, and ensuring accessibility in rural areas as it orchestrates change to unlock the Africa’s potential.
Mukembo said, “By embracing a corporate entrepreneurship mindset and leveraging deep technology, Africa’s innovators can shape a future where sustainable, scalable solutions are the norm. Through DREEM, we are connecting innovative solar entrepreneurs with the capital and resources they need to create lasting impact in underserved communities.”
Mukembo added that fostering collaboration across policy, markets, and talent is key to ensuring that Africa architects its own future.
In a nutshell, the recently concluded DREEM partner engagement serves as a powerful reminder of the role collaborative ecosystems play in shaping Africa’s future. By connecting diverse stakeholders from government and NGOs to entrepreneurs and financiers such initiatives drive inclusive development, create market-ready solutions, and foster sustainability.
As Africa continues to grapple with complex challenges, it is through the convergence of innovation, partnership, and a shared commitment to inclusive growth that the continent’s potential can truly be unlocked. Whether through renewable energy solutions or the empowerment of local entrepreneurs, the path forward is clear and can be powered by collaboration, sustainability, and bold, innovative thinking.