| Abstract Scope |
Access to affordable, dependable and sustainable electricity for all remains one of the major development challenges in rural Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Electrification has come a long way, yet about 900 million people use traditional biomass for cooking and about 550 million people in the region still live without electricity. Dispersed populations, low electricity demand and insufficient infrastructure make traditional grid extension economically unviable and make decentralised renewable energy (DRE) an increasingly viable option. This paper comprehensively covers current advances in decentralised renewable energy technologies (solar home systems (SHSs), renewable mini-grids, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hybrid renewable energy systems) and evaluates their contribution to universal rural electrification. The article also mentions new funding modalities such as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo), Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), Results-Based Funding (RBF) and climate finance that have accelerated technology adoption across SSA. Case studies from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia show that decentralised renewable energy significantly improves household welfare, access to medical services, educational opportunities, agricultural productivity, digital inclusion, and rural entrepreneurship, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on traditional biomass. Key challenges include limited finance, limited technical capacity, regulatory ambiguity, and long-term maintenance, yet ongoing technology innovation and supporting regulatory frameworks offer strong potential for faster adoption. Decentralised renewable energy is one of the most effective methods to fulfil SDG 7 and advance other interrelated Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, health, education, climate action and fair economic development. |