Linking household energy needs and agricultural productive uses of energy in access planning could accelerate economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa, home to one of the fastest-growing populations in the world, is experiencing rapid urbanization and the emergence of a growing middle class. Despite these developments, current agricultural production falls short of meeting the projected food demand, hindered by lack of access to modern energy, among other factors. Improving the productivity of smallholder farmers and expanding local crop processing are vital strategies to meet this increasing demand for food and to enhance the lives and livelihoods of African farmers. Supplying electricity for irrigation and crop processing can stimulate entrepreneurship, foster local wealth creation, and support the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while improving the cost-effectiveness of clean energy plans in rural areas. In this article, we argue that Africa's energy planning should focus on accelerating economic growth by providing clean and modern energy solutions that extend beyond basic household services. This includes integrating energy needs for small-scale irrigation and crop processing into household energy planning. Through various example projects, we demonstrate that the benefits of productive energy uses extend beyond mechanizing agriculture and crop processing. These initiatives enhance local economic development by integrating electricity into household business operations, such as milling and agro-processing, which create jobs and diversify income. They also enhance communication and provide critical market information, empowering rural communities. By prioritizing productive energy uses, these projects increase electricity consumption, improving the financial sustainability of electrification efforts.