Today, East Africa has made considerable strides in paving the way towards a sustainable energy future, however, it is also in a time where this progress is increasingly shaped by community realities.

Whilst expanding access to energy remains essential, it is also the ripple effect on all communities that must be considered; energy solutions must deliver lasting economic and social value where people live and work.

And unfortunately, the energy gap remains a reality in rural areas.  According to Angela Sanja, Access to Energy Business Manager, East Africa at Schneider Electric, addressing this challenge requires a reframing of priorities.

“The gap is no longer just about grid extension to rural areas; it is a system design challenge. We need to look at how we combine the available grid with decentralised solutions to ensure that communities can access reliable, sustainable and productive energy.”

This holds particularly true in East Africa where over 65% of the region’s workforce is employed in agriculture - the majority in rural areas, where farming remains the backbone of livelihoods and food security.

It is, therefore, vitally important that these communities have access to dependable power that can unlock new opportunities such improved irrigation and food production whilst supporting local enterprises and strengthening livelihoods.

Moving beyond connection to productive energy

Closing the energy gap requires solutions designed around the realities of different communities. 

“Digital grid management in urban areas and decentralised energy management in rural areas will play a major role. We need therefore solutions that can scale with communities, rather than deploying systems that may not fully meet current or future needs,” explains Sanja.

“For example, digital platforms, smart meters and remote monitoring capabilities can help reduce operational costs, improve reliability and enable energy providers to identify and resolve issues more efficiently. 

“These technologies also support better planning by providing data that can guide investment decisions and ensure infrastructure develops alongside community needs,” she adds.

The opportunity of Energy-as-a-Service

One model gaining relevance in addressing affordability and accessibility challenges is Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS). It shifts costs from steep upfront investments to pay‑per‑use consumption, relieving communities and organisations of the burden of owning and maintaining energy infrastructure.

“Energy-as-a-Service is not just a business model; it is also a social enabler. It allows people to access reliable power and pay only for what they need, helping communities operate within their financial realities,” notes Sanja.

“When combined with mini-grids, digital payment platforms and innovative financing mechanisms, EaaS can support a more flexible and sustainable approach to rural electrification,

“However, creating successful models requires collaboration across the ecosystem. Developers, financial institutions, communities and policymakers all have a role to play in ensuring these solutions are scalable, properly regulated and able to deliver long-term value,” she notes.

Ensuring innovation benefits everyone today and the future

New technologies have the potential to close existing access to energy gaps, but only if communities have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to participate.

At Schneider Electric, access to energy is closely linked to education, skills development and capacity building.

“Innovation is for all of us, and inclusion is key. We need to support learning from schools and tertiary institutions through to communities and people working directly with deployed technologies,” explains Sanja.

Building local capability ensures that communities are not just recipients of energy solutions, but active partners in sustaining and sharing in the benefits. This include:

• Building inclusive capacity - developing digital skills, supporting local enterprises, and ensuring women and youth are integrated across the energy value chain.
• Measuring impact beyond delivery - innovation must be assessed not only by energy provision, but by its contribution to livelihoods, job creation, and stronger local economies.
• Energy as a development catalyst - climate‑smart solutions can power agriculture and community activities, from irrigation to processing, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and unlocking broader social and economic gains.

East Africa’s energy future must be designed not only to connect more households, but to also empower communities, businesses and essential services to thrive through reliable and sustainable power

Concludes Sanja: “A truly inclusive energy transition is the fastest path to both net zero and economic development.”