As billions in global funding flow into Africa’s energy transition, there is a growing call advocating for a shift in thinking in the solutions for the continent.
For proponents of this call, the solution may not lie in massive national grids, but in smaller, locally driven systems that reach people faster.
Dr. Tebogo Kupi, a researcher at the Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology at North-West University, is making a strong case for decentralised energy solutions, particularly for rural and underserved communities often left waiting years for grid expansion.
He argues that in many parts of Africa, extending the national grid is not just slow, it is expensive and, in some cases, unrealistic. But smaller systems like mini-grids and off-grid solar installations can be deployed faster, at lower cost, and with immediate impact on livelihoods.
For communities that currently rely on candles, generators, or have no access to power at all, such solutions can transform daily life. These smaller solutions, he says, can power schools, support small businesses, and improve healthcare delivery without waiting for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Dr. Kupi points to countries like South Africa as being well-positioned to lead innovation in this space, given their relatively advanced energy sectors. He believes investments in research, skills development, and local technology can accelerate the rollout of these decentralised systems across the continent.
“Decentralised systems such as mini-grids and off-grid solar solutions can have a transformative impact at community level,” he says. “South Africa, with its relatively developed energy sector, is well positioned to support innovation, research and skills development in this space.”
This call for a shift in solutions comes at a time when institutions like the European Investment Bank are committing significant funding to Africa’s energy sector, and the focus is increasingly shifting from just raising money to how effectively it is used.
Dr. Kupi’s call is a reminder that solving Africa’s energy crisis is not only about megawatts and megaprojects. It is about practical, community-level solutions that can be implemented now, bringing power directly to the people who need it most, without delay.
