Summary
This policy report aims to support policymakers and practitioners in understanding and advancing the nexus between sustainable energy transitions and social inclusion in Eastern Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. This report is grounded in existing research and enriched by the experiences of policymakers and practitioners working in diverse local contexts. It identifies critical barriers to inclusive energy transitions, e g, persistent gaps in providing high-quality electricity and other infrastructure, affordability constraints, biomass dependency, and energy poverty’s disproportionate impacts on women. The report also highlights emerging opportunities such as the expansion of renewable energy, decentralized and hybrid systems, and growing regional commitment to gender-responsive energy governance. It outlines key recommendations, including investing in decentralized infrastructure, improving financing for households and small enterprises, gender equality in energy planning, and strengthening community-based and labor-market linkages. This report is designed to guide and stimulate policy conversations and provides regionally grounded assessment and actionable recommendations that can be adapted to other settings. The goal is to inform and shape more inclusive, gender-responsive, and context-sensitive energy policies, validated by key stakeholders.
