Decentralized Renewable Energy: Best Strategy to Mitigate Energy Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa

A recent study by Ighravwe, D. E., & Olanrewaju, O. A. (2025) titled “Evaluating the desirability of energy inequality mitigation strategies within underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa,” published in Discover Sustainability by Springer Nature, reveals that decentralized renewable energy solutions are the most effective strategy for mitigating energy inequality in underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Decentralized renewable energy solutions are the most effective strategy for mitigating energy inequality in underserved sub-Saharan African communities, enhancing sustainability and access.– Ighravwe, D. E., & Olanrewaju, O. A. 2025

This study examines the effectiveness of various strategies to mitigate energy inequality in underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers Desmond Eseoghene Ighravwe and Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju employ a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to assess and prioritize these strategies. The authors utilized Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (FAHP) to determine the relative importance of different evaluation criteria. The study also deployed the VIKOR Method to identify the most suitable socio-economic factors and strategies for reducing energy inequality. The research evaluates nine socio-economic criteria and ten mitigation strategies, comparing them through the VIKOR method alongside other techniques such as Fuzzy PROMETHEE and Fuzzy TOPSIS. The results highlight decentralized renewable energy solutions as the most effective approach for addressing energy inequality in the suburban case study.

How the Study was Conducted

This study employed a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to assess the effectiveness of various energy inequality mitigation strategies within underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa. By integrating the fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) and VIKOR methods, the research aimed to determine the significance of socio-economic criteria and identify the most viable strategies for reducing energy inequality.

The study began with an extensive literature review on technical and socio-economic aspects of energy inequality mitigation. Based on this review, a comprehensive MCDM framework was developed, incorporating nine socio-economic criteria and ten potential mitigation strategies. To ensure relevance and accuracy, six energy sector experts—each with an average of 11 years of experience—were consulted to evaluate the importance of the selected criteria.

Using FAHP, the researchers quantified the significance of these socio-economic criteria, leveraging fuzzy sets to manage uncertainty in expert assessments. The VIKOR method was then applied to rank the mitigation strategies, providing a compromise solution based on alternative utility and regret values. To validate the robustness of the approach, the results were compared with other MCDM methods such as Fuzzy PROMETHEE and Fuzzy TOPSIS.

The framework was tested in a case study of a suburban community with historically poor access to stable electricity, negatively impacting economic activities and quality of life. The analysis revealed that decentralized renewable energy solutions emerged as the most effective strategy for mitigating energy inequality. A sensitivity analysis further confirmed the reliability of these findings.

What the Authors Found

The authors found that decentralized renewable energy solutions are the most effective strategy for mitigating energy inequality in underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This conclusion was supported by the VIKOR method and reinforced by aggregated results from multiple decision-making methods (VIKOR, PROMETHEE, and TOPSIS). Additionally, cross-subsidization models were identified as another viable strategy, particularly through the TOPSIS method. However, decentralized renewable energy solutions consistently emerged as the best approach for providing affordable and reliable energy access to low-income households.

Why is this Important?

Energy Access: Millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa lack reliable and affordable energy access. This study addresses a critical issue impacting their daily lives, economic opportunities, and overall well-being.

Sustainable Development: Energy inequality is a barrier to sustainable development. By identifying effective mitigation strategies, this research supports efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Environmental Impact: Many underserved communities rely on fossil fuels and firewood, contributing to environmental degradation and climate change. The study’s focus on decentralized renewable energy solutions helps promote cleaner, sustainable energy sources that reduce carbon emissions.

Policy Guidance: The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders on the best strategies to address energy inequality. This guidance can help shape more effective policies and investment initiatives tailored to the unique needs of sub-Saharan Africa.

Health Benefits: Dependence on unclean energy sources like firewood can lead to severe health issues, including respiratory problems. By promoting cleaner energy solutions, this study contributes to improving public health in underserved communities.

Economic Growth: Access to reliable energy is crucial for economic development. The study’s recommendations can help create jobs, stimulate local economies, and reduce socio-economic disparities in the region.

What the Authors Recommended

• The authors suggest prioritizing decentralized renewable energy solutions, such as mini-grids, to provide affordable and reliable energy to low-income households. These systems can significantly improve energy access and sustainability in underserved communities.
• Implementing cross-subsidization schemes is recommended to reduce the financial burden on low-income households. This approach involves making energy more affordable for underserved communities by redistributing costs among different consumer groups.
• The authors emphasize the need for public-private partnerships to improve energy infrastructure in underserved communities. Collaborations between governments, private companies, and non-governmental organizations can attract investments and drive sustainable energy projects.
• Formulating and implementing energy policies that promote equitable access to energy is crucial. These policies should address the specific needs of underserved communities and encourage the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
• Providing education and training programs to enhance local capacity for renewable energy technologies is essential. These programs can help build the necessary skills and knowledge within communities to maintain and operate renewable energy systems.
• Offering financial support through microfinance programs can enable low-income households to afford renewable energy systems. These programs can provide loans or subsidies to help households invest in clean energy technologies.
• Promoting regional cooperation to pool energy resources and address energy inequality collectively. By working together, neighboring communities can share resources and knowledge to improve energy access and sustainability.

In conclusion, this study underscores the critical role of decentralized renewable energy solutions in addressing energy inequality in underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa. By leveraging advanced decision-making frameworks such as FAHP and VIKOR, the research highlights the most effective strategies for expanding energy access, promoting sustainability, and fostering economic growth. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders, emphasizing the need for targeted policies, cross-subsidization models, and public-private partnerships. Implementing these recommendations can drive meaningful progress toward achieving energy equity, improving public health, and supporting sustainable development goals. Ultimately, prioritizing decentralized renewable energy solutions is a key step toward a cleaner, more inclusive, and energy-secure future for all.