In many African homes, cooking is an everyday ritual, especially for mothers and girls. It’s often a blend of tradition, nourishment, and love. However, behind this familiar routine lies a silent challenge: unsafe, inefficient, and polluting cooking methods that affect our health, time, and environment. This disproportionately affects women and girls who spend up to 4 times longer hours than men cooking and preparing food. Like many women in my community, especially in the village, the reliance on charcoal and firewood for years was common, unaware of the risks the family was being exposed to and not considering the amount of time spent in preparing food. The smoke-filled kitchen was a norm and is still a norm to many rural communities, and the daily struggle of sourcing fuel is an accepted inconvenience.

However, having moved to the urban setting, I transitioned to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as my primary cooking fuel, with occasional use of an electric pressure cooker and charcoal. LPG seemed cleaner and more convenient compared to firewood, but I quickly realized it wasn’t a perfect solution; it was still expensive, prone to supply shortages, unpredictable price changes, and not as environmentally friendly as I had hoped.  Until recently, in October 2024, I got the opportunity to participate in the Global Leap Awards, an international competition that identifies and promotes the world’s best, most energy-efficient appliances and equipment intended for use in energy-constrained settings, as a test user. The 2024 Global LEAP Awards focused on Induction Cooktops Competition. I had a chance to interact with a range of 11 induction cookers (ICs). An exceptional experience I feel privileged to have, and an eye-opener to the dynamics of the clean energy space. My Name is Sello, a mother of 2, living in Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya.

A Costly, Health-Risking Way of Life

Cooking with traditional fuels, including charcoal, firewood, kerosene and even LPG has long been the norm for many African households. However, these methods come with hidden costs:

High costs: Charcoal prices have been rising within the day with the current price of a 2kg charcoal tin rising from Ksh 50 in 2020 to Ksh 120 today. The tin can averagely cook 3 to 4 meals at most depending on the size of the family and type of food. Kerosene prices for cooking stoves have also been increasing day by day with the monthly fuel prices review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). LPG refills have been unreliable due to supply chain issues, expensive, (with a13kg cylinder going for Ksh 2500, and can only run my family for 1 month) and the unpredictable fluctuating prices making budgeting difficult. Charcoal for me often comes in as a backup, despite being aware of its environmental impact, I occasionally rely on charcoal, especially when preparing dishes that require more energy and longer time to prepare.

Time-consuming: Preparing meals over charcoal required constant attention, making multitasking difficult. It also comes with a lot of hygiene maintenance issues like constant refilling of the jiko with charcoal, and exposure of smoke and ash, which have proven to be dangerous if not well taken care of, especially in urban setting where often the kitchen space is very small and with limited aeration. LPG compared to charcoal is a bit faster but also requires constant monitoring

Limited use of electric cooking: Even though I own an electric pressure cooker, I use it sparingly because of concerns about electricity costs, but I have soon come to outgrow this misconception after keenly observing the cost incurred in buying electricity tokens, and adaptability to different meals.

Like many women, I must admit that I have been caught in this cycle, of navigating different cooking options depending on the type that is most accessible, reliable and affordable, not because I wanted to, but because I didn’t know a better alternative.

A New Chapter of Clean Cooking

This changed when I participated in the Global LEAP Awards Induction Cooktop Competition, as a test user of 11 different IC brands. It introduced me to induction cooking, a technology that has proven to be energy-efficient, fast, safe and clean cooking. At first, I was skeptical. How could a cooktop without an open flame replace my trusted charcoal jiko or gas burner? Would an IC really work for my daily meals? How much electricity would it consume? Would it be too complicated to use?

But as I started using the different ICs, my doubts disappeared. I quickly saw the difference and realized the potential of clean cooking. Here is what I discovered;

Cleaner, healthier and safer cooking: Unlike the use of charcoal and LPG, induction cooking has no smoke, no soot. Cooking with IC is just clean, breathable air for my family. The persistent coughs disappeared, and I no longer had to endure teary eyes while cooking. Pooping into my kitchen while preparing a meal, you could barely notice the source of energy, but just the delicious aroma of food. Cleaning up my kitchen surface after cooking was a breeze, the sleek surface of most ICs was wiped clean in seconds.

Time-Efficient and convenient: Cooking was faster! Water boiled in less than half the time compared to my traditional methods. I barely took more than 40 minutes preparing a basic meal like ugali, beef and vegetables. I had more time to focus on my children and personal growth. Another thing is the size of the IC, being compact and portable, I was able to integrate the IC into my small kitchen space without having to shift the arrangement and structure of my kitchen. Most of the ICs models had pre-set cooking functions, though some were not tailored to Kenyan cuisine. However, I had an opportunity to interact with an IC locally made in Kenya, which I felt was more versatile to the Kenyan cuisine and highly efficient as well.

Cost-Effective: While I initially worried about electricity bills, I soon realized that electric cooking generally is surprisingly more energy efficient lowering my energy costs. Cooking githeri on jiko-charcoal cost me ksh 240 (two tins of charcoal). Charcoal is also quite slow, taking 3-4 hours to cook, with constant monitoring to refill the jiko with charcoal. With an electric pressure cooker, I only use 2 electric units which costs ksh 56, I then shift to IC to fry my githeri, which also takes 0.8 electric units which costs ksh 22. I saved money while using a cleaner, faster, and more convenient method.

Easy Adaptation: Since I already had an electric pressure cooker, integrating induction cooking into my routine was easier than expected. It became my go-to solution, reducing my dependence on LPG and charcoal. While learning the settings of how to operate the induction cookers took a few tries, the process was smooth. All of them had manuals, with some having more simplified and elaborate instructions. I loved the fact that a few of them had, in the manual, troubleshooting options, and some even went further to provide emergency contact number for customer support. The cooktops were user-friendly, and with a few practice meals, I got the hang of it.

Sustainability and the bigger picture: With every meal, I felt empowered knowing I was making a small yet impactful contribution to reducing deforestation and carbon emissions. I no longer have to use charcoal which I know is produced from a tree cut somewhere. Every meal cooked on induction means less reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a greener future.

Learning, Adapting, and Sharing

Through the Global Leap award test user project phase, I learned not just how to use the induction cooktop but also how to maximize its benefits. Engaging with other participants in focus groups and WhatsApp discussions helped me learn best practices and troubleshooting tips, exchange recipes and discovering creative ways to cook traditional meals using modern technology. We shared our experiences daily, although very few of us struggled with electricity blackouts. While we were initially worried about needing induction-compatible cookware, the project provided them for us.

The impact of induction cooking was not just personal but community-wide and immediate in different ways, including;

Inspiring others: Several of my friends saw the benefits and expressed interest in switching to induction cooking. The aesthetics, portability and efficiency of IC made it more appealing. Seeing the experience of my cooking journey and being able to gauge the amount and time used to prepare meals made it very easy to convince them on its efficiency. Installing and using the IC as mentioned earlier didn’t require me to alter any of my kitchen arrangement. What I literally did was to flap my LPG cooker and place the IC on top.

Energy savings cost: On average, I spent 30-40% less on energy costs compared to use of LPG and charcoal. Previously, I would spend about ksh 4500 as cooking but energy cost in a month, but with IC and pressure cooker, I used about ksh 3000.

Creating awareness and empowerment: I now use my induction cooktop and electric pressure cooker more frequently, reducing my carbon footprint. I have also become an advocate for clean cooking, sharing my experience with neighbors and family. More women in my network are now considering induction cooking as a viable alternative, shifting perceptions that electric cooking is expensive or impractical.

Call to action

This experience reinforced an important truth: African mothers are ready for change, but we need access and awareness. Induction cooking is not just a luxury; it is a necessity for health, economic, and environmental sustainability. I would therefore recommend that governments support policies that promote clean cooking solutions through subsidies and awareness campaigns. Clean cooking Stakeholders must also ensure affordability and accessibility so that more households can make the switch to these kinds of technologies. It is also a call for communities to embrace adaptation, because the future of cooking should be clean, efficient, and sustainable.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this transformation. As an African mother, my priority is the well-being of my family, and clean cooking is one of the best gifts I can give them.

Introduction
The global imperative to feed a growing population while simultaneously combating climate change has catalyzed the development of innovative solutions that merge agriculture with renewable energy. Kenya receives an average of 5–7 kWh/m² of solar radiation daily, yet less than 5% of its agricultural land currently integrates renewable energy solutions. One particularly promising approach gaining significant traction is agri-solar, a hybrid model that integrates solar panels directly with farming activities on the same parcel of land. This co-location strategy aims to optimize land use efficiency, boost farm incomes, and contribute to clean energy generation, creating a synergistic relationship between food and power production. As nations like Kenya actively pursue sustainable development pathways, a critical question emerges: can agri-solar truly be a key to a sustainable future? This blog delves into this question by examining the concept of agri-solar, its multifaceted benefits, the practical challenges to its adoption, illustrative examples within Kenya, and the future prospects for scaling up this innovative approach to support both environmental and social goals.

What is Agri-Solar?

Agri-solar, also known as agrivoltaics, refers to the dual use of agricultural land for both conventional crop cultivation or livestock rearing and solar power generation. This model stands in contrast to conventional standalone solar farms, which dedicate land exclusively to energy production. In an agri-solar system, solar panels are strategically installed above or alongside crops and pastures, allowing farmers to harvest sunlight for electricity while continuing their agricultural operations. A key feature of many agri-solar installations is the elevation of panels, which provides partial shading for crops beneath. This shading can yield significant agronomic benefits, such as improved soil water retention and the creation of more favorable microclimates for certain plant species, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Configurations can range from fixed elevated structures to more advanced systems with adjustable panels that track the sun to optimize light exposure for both the plants and the photovoltaic cells. As highlighted in a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this integrated approach leverages limited farmland more intensively, embodying a powerful synergy that addresses the interconnected challenges of energy and food production.

Potential Benefits of Agri-Solar in Kenya

Kenya presents a fertile ground for the expansion of agri-solar systems due to its abundant solar radiation and an economy heavily reliant on agriculture for livelihoods and employment. The potential benefits are multifaceted. Environmentally, agri-solar directly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing diesel-powered generators and kerosene lamps commonly used in rural areas. The partial shading from panels can mitigate water stress for crops, a critical advantage in Kenya’s drought-prone regions, potentially leading to higher yields for certain shade-tolerant species. Economically, this model provides farmers with a diversified and more resilient income stream; they can profit from selling surplus electricity to the grid while maintaining their agricultural output. This diversification is a crucial buffer against climate variability and market fluctuations. Furthermore, agri-solar presents a significant opportunity to empower rural communities, including women and youth, by creating decent work in both the farming and renewable energy sectors. Given the high unemployment rates in many rural counties, combined agri-solar projects can be a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and community-level resilience against climate impacts.

Case Study of an Agri-Solar Initiative in Kenya

A leading example of agri-solar application in Kenya is the Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) project, hosted by the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC). This innovative initiative focuses on integrating solar power into critical agricultural value chains, particularly dairy and horticulture, in semi-arid counties such as Isiolo, Kitui, Laikipia, and Makueni. The DREEM project supports smallholder farmers and cooperatives by deploying solar-powered solutions, including milk cooling and processing systems. These technologies directly reduce energy costs and post-harvest losses while enabling cleaner production methods. Beyond the immediate technological benefits, the project empowers youth and women through targeted agri-solar entrepreneurship training and job creation, fostering a new generation of green entrepreneurs. By facilitating access to affordable solar energy and financing, DREEM builds stronger community resilience against climate change impacts and decreases reliance on costly, polluting fossil fuels. This integrated approach aligns closely with Kenya’s national commitments to higher renewable energy penetration and sustainable agriculture development, as outlined in the long-term development blueprint, Kenya Vision 2030, and the strategic Kenya Climate Change Action Plan.

Challenges for Agri-Solar Adoption in Kenya

Despite its considerable promise, the widespread adoption of agri-solar in Kenya faces several practical and policy challenges, as noted in a report by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A primary barrier is the high upfront cost associated with solar technology and its installation, which can be prohibitive for smallholder farmers without targeted financial support or innovative financing mechanisms. Furthermore, policy and regulatory frameworks often have gaps, lacking clear guidelines for connecting these distributed energy systems to the grid and ensuring fair remuneration for fed-in power. There is also a significant lack of technical capacity; farmers and local technicians require training to manage and maintain the dual systems effectively. From an agronomic perspective, a key technical challenge lies in balancing crop yield with energy production. Not all crops are suitable for agri-solar environments; some high-value crops requiring full sun may experience lower yields under partial shading, which can limit the range of viable agricultural products for these systems. Addressing these interconnected challenges through financial innovation, supportive regulation, and targeted research is critical for agri-solar’s broader adoption across the country.

Policy, Institutional Support, and Future Prospects in Kenya

Policy, institutional support, and future prospects are critical pillars shaping the successful adoption and scaling of agrisolar technologies in Kenya, which combine solar energy generation with agricultural activities to boost food security and clean energy.

Policy

A supportive policy framework is essential for agrisolar adoption and scaling. Kenya’s policies increasingly recognize agrisolar as a strategic solution for sustainable development. The National Energy Policy 2025-2034 promotes renewable energy integration in agriculture, emphasizing solar-powered irrigation and value addition to increase farm productivity while reducing carbon footprints. Additionally, Kenya has formulated specific support mechanisms and subsidy schemes designed to increase access to solar technologies among smallholder farmers, facilitating affordability and uptake. The government’s commitment is also reflected in dedicated programs such as the Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) project, which channels resources into solar irrigation and processing solutions

Institutional Support

Institutional support in Kenya is robust, featuring collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, innovation hubs, and development partners. The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation leads solar irrigation initiatives, while innovation centers like the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) provide technical support, financing facilitation, and capacity-building to farmers and enterprises adopting agrisolar technologies. Other institutions such as Sustainable Energy Technical Assistance (SETA) contribute advisory services to align policies and enhance technical expertise, ensuring a conducive ecosystem for scaling solar energy in agriculture.

Future Prospects

The future of agrisolar in Kenya is promising, backed by the country’s vast solar resources and a significant portion of under-irrigated arable land that could benefit from solar-powered irrigation solutions. Advancements in solar technology, coupled with increased local manufacturing and innovative financing models, are expected to lower costs and encourage broader adoption among small-scale farmers. The integration of agri-solar with water management and climate resilience strategies presents a transformative opportunity to simultaneously address food security, energy access, and environmental sustainability. Kenya is poised to become a regional leader in agri-solar deployment, leveraging emerging trends and continuous policy improvements to create resilient and productive farming systems.

Conclusion

Agri-solar presents a promising pathway to a more sustainable and resilient future by combining clean energy production with food security on the same land. While challenges around cost, technology, and policy must be overcome, successful examples in Kenya and beyond demonstrate that the adoption and scaling of agri-solar can deliver environmental, social, and economic dividends. With supportive policies and inclusive programming focused on empowering rural communities, agri-solar can be a powerful tool to achieve climate goals, promote decent work, and advance Kenya’s sustainable development ambitions.

In Africa’s race toward a clean energy future, the most powerful fuel may not be solar, wind, or even finance—it’s data. But not just any data. We’re talking about localized, community-driven, context-rich insights that turn policy into impact and ambition into access. As millions across Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa still live without electricity, the path forward isn’t just about building more solar panels or importing wind turbines. It’s about rooting energy solutions in the lives, voices, and knowledge of local people—and that begins with how we collect, share, and act on data. Welcome to a movement where people power energy policy, and data becomes the driver of a just, green, and local transition.

Africa’s Renewable Energy Potential: A Story of Abundance and Need

Africa is home to some of the world’s richest renewable energy resources. The continent, for instance, enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year and vast untapped wind corridors, particularly along the coasts and highlands. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the continent has the technical potential to generate more than 1,200 gigawatts (GW) of electricity from solar and wind annually—enough to power the region many times over.  Yet despite this potential, as of 2023, approximately 12.6 million people in Kenya, 7.4 million in South Africa, and 3.5 million in Ghana still lack access to electricity. The gap between what is possible and what is real remains stark, and localization may be the key to bridging it.

Localization refers to the development, production, and deployment of renewable energy technologies, skills, and services within a country or region, rather than importing solutions wholesale. But it’s more than building solar farms or wind turbines. Localization is about nurturing entire ecosystems: from manufacturing supply chains and skilled labor to culturally relevant community ownership. When done right, localization offers a pathway to:- Job creation and technical up-skilling – Industrial development and reduced import dependency- Community inclusion and buy-in- Resilient energy systems that adapt to local needs

Key Opportunities for Localization

• Manufacturing and Local Supply Chains: Africa can manufacture components such as mounting structures, wind turbine towers, cabling, and inverters. With strategic policy incentives and investment, these local supply chains could reduce costs and boost national economies.
• Skills Development and Training: The clean energy economy requires a workforce trained in solar PV installation, energy auditing, system maintenance, and project management. Local institutions can play a critical role in up-skilling young people for these opportunities.
• Community Participation and Cultural Relevance: Energy solutions must resonate with local priorities. Localization means planning with—not just for—communities to ensure lasting success.
• Decent Jobs and Economic Empowerment: The clean energy transition can create millions of dignified jobs across sectors. From logistics and construction to operations and customer care, local economies stand to gain.

IRENA estimates that by 2030, Africa’s renewable energy sector could support over 13 million jobs—only if localization is embedded in national strategies. Localized systems also offer greater resilience. During global supply chain disruptions, nations with local energy industries and infrastructure suffer fewer setbacks. Moreover, localization enables technology transfer, encourages innovation, and strengthens regional trade.

The Role of Data in Localization

Data is the backbone of a localized, community-led energy future. Without reliable, inclusive, and up-to-date data, energy strategies risk missing the mark. This is where campaigns like “Powering Policies Through Data” come in. Launched in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, the initiative trains grassroots researchers to collect real-world data at the community level. These local grassroots researchers serve not just as data collectors but as knowledge translators, making technical energy insights understandable and actionable for both communities and policymakers.  Data is driving change in key areas, including identifying viable components for local manufacturing. Mapping skills gaps and training needs. Tracking community inclusion and ownership models. Informing climate adaptation and environmental impact planning.

When local voices inform local data, policy becomes more responsive, and the energy transition becomes more just. 

A recent dialogue in Kenya’s Coastal Region, with consultations still ongoing in other regions, explored the question:“Are we ready to localize solar and wind energy components—and under what frameworks can this be achieved?”Key insights from stakeholders included:- The need to identify feasible components for local production- Strengthening technical skills and infrastructure- Developing policy and financial incentives to support local investment. The consensus was: Localization is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It must be adapted to each region’s socio-economic and industrial context.

The UNEP-led Trans-boundary Data Sharing Workshop recently held in Nairobi showcased how community data can influence national energy planning. The event explored the full data lifecycle—from collection to dissemination—and highlighted self-reported community data as a powerful tool for shaping energy policy. The workshop made it clear: data is not a product. It is a shared resource—and to be effective, it must be trusted, transparent, and usable across institutions and borders.

This is the Way Forward: A Just, Green, and Local Energy Transition

Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. Meeting the rising demand for electricity with sustainable solutions will require bold thinking and bold action.The future of energy in Africa must be:- Green, to protect our environment- Just, to uplift communities- Local, to build economic resilience and social inclusion.That means:

1. Investing in people, not just hardware
2. Fostering governance systems that ensure accountability
3. Creating partnerships that unite governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector
4. Promoting data democratization to ensure everyone can participate in shaping the energy future

“When local voices shape local data, we build stronger, smarter energy systems—together. This is more than a technological shift. It’s a movement for justice, resilience, and shared prosperity—one where Africa leads, innovates, and thrives on its own terms.”

Call to Action

It’s time to power Africa with African solutions. Localize data, localize energy—act now. If data is the new oil—and energy the engine of development—then shouldn’t the people closest to the ground be in the driver’s seat?