Gender-First Approaches to Energy in Africa

In rural Africa, energy poverty remains a significant barrier to economic development, health, and gender equity. While large-scale energy projects dominate discussions of electrification, small-scale, decentralized energy solutions, such as solar home systems and microgrids, offer unique opportunities to address these challenges. Critically, they can transform the lives of women, who disproportionately bear the burdens of energy poverty. By prioritizing gender-sensitive approaches, women can act as drivers of sustainable development.

The Gendered Burden of Energy Poverty

In many African communities, women are the primary managers of household energy, spending hours collecting biomass for cooking and heating. This unpaid labor not only limits their participation in education and income-generating activities but also exposes them to serious health risks from indoor air pollution. Reliance on traditional energy sources, such as biomass, exacerbates cycles of poverty and gender inequality.

The time and health costs borne by women underscore the importance of energy solutions that address their specific needs. Access to efficient cookstoves or solar-powered lighting can save women hours each day, enabling them to pursue education, entrepreneurship, or other activities that enhance their economic and social standing.

The Multiplier Effect of Women’s Empowerment

Empowering women through energy access creates a multiplier effect that benefits entire communities. Studies show that women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their households and communities, compared to 40% for men. This reinvestment drives improvements in health, education, and local economic growth.

Furthermore, targeted energy interventions can significantly boost women’s employment. For instance, providing access to electricity has been associated with a 2.3% to 9.5% increase in women’s employment in rural areas, largely through micro-enterprises such as craft production or small retail operations. These income-generating activities not only elevate women’s financial independence but also enhance their decision-making power within households and communities.

Breaking Financial Barriers

One of the most significant obstacles to women’s access to clean energy technologies is finances. Women often lack the resources or credit history needed to secure loans for purchasing solar panels, efficient stoves, or other energy solutions. Women in Africa are often subject to predatory high interest rates and often lack collateral, leading to lower use of business loans. However, innovative financial mechanisms, such as pay-as-you-go schemes and microloans, have shown promise in bridging this gap and have positive feedback loops in which microcredit further increases decision-making power.

 Women as Energy Leaders

Involving women in the energy sector as entrepreneurs, technicians, and policymakers is crucial for sustainable energy access. Programs like the Uganda Photovoltaic Pilot Project for Rural Electrification (UPPPRE)  promoted solar photovoltaic technology in rural areas by addressing financial and institutional barriers. It provided solar systems for homes and institutions and encouraged women entrepreneurs to participate. By involving women directly, UPPPRE not only expanded energy access but also empowered women to take leadership roles in their communities, transforming the potential of women in implementing energy solutions.

Providing low-barrier pathways in energy, paired with adequate training programs, has also proven effective for women in improving their own financial autonomy and opportunities for income. Solar Sister, an organization dedicated to supporting women through clean energy entrepreneurship, supports women in Africa by combining digital literacy training with access to renewable energy technologies. Through programs like their smartphone distribution initiative, women entrepreneurs gained access to tools that increased their sales by 70-80%.

Gender-Sensitive Policies for Lasting Impact

Achieving gender equity in energy access requires more than isolated projects. It is important that policymakers prioritize gender-sensitive approaches such as those that subsidize clean energy technologies for low-income women, create targeted training programs, or address discriminatory practices in energy markets. Additionally, increasing women’s political participation can lead to better governance and more inclusive energy policies, as higher female representation in politics tends to lead to greater energy efficiency and electricity access.

Small-scale energy solutions offer a powerful tool to address both energy poverty and gender inequality in Africa. By incorporating gender perspectives into energy access initiatives, we can create transformative opportunities for women, break cycles of poverty, improve health outcomes, and drive economic growth. These efforts are not only a matter of equity but also a strategic investment in sustainable development.

Kayla Main

Kleinman Center Research Assistant

Kayla Main is a Research Assistant at the Kleinman Center. Through the Kleinman Center, she also works with Energia, an international network supporting gender equity and sustainable energy progress, and their partners, such as Solar Sister.