Examines options for the provision of modern energy services to low income rural areas of Africa with special emphasis on the commercial/services/productive uses of energy

Objectives of the theme

• Analyzing the impact of current rural energy policies.
• Assessing current rural household and community energy practices and technologies
• Reviewing rural income generating activities and energy technologies used.
• Establishing what is hindering the removal of identified barriers in the dissemination of renewable energy technologies (e.g. absence of rural entrepreneurs, funding mechanisms, capacity building and policy).

 Key Research Issues

• Impact of the government and utilities policies, programmes and institutional framework on the provision of modern energy to rural areas.
•  Analysis of existing decentralized private sector energy production and distribution activities in rural areas.
• Comparative analysis of modern energy use in rural areas.
• Analysis of components for promoting the production and deployment of RETs by private entrepreneurs in rural areas.