What is SESA?
Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) is a collaborative project between the European Union and nine African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania ) that aims at providing energy access technologies and business models that are easily replicable and generate local opportunities for economic development and social cohesion in Africa.
Through several local living labs, it is expected to facilitate the co-development of scalable and replicable energy access innovations, to be tested, validated, and later replicated throughout the African continent.
These solutions will include decentralised renewables (solar photovoltaics), innovative energy storage systems including the use of second-life electric vehicle batteries, waste-to-energy systems, smart micro grids, climate-proofing, resilience and adaptation, and rural internet access.
Running from October 2021 until September 2025, SESA is the result of a strong partnership between leading European and African universities, research centres, industry actors, local governments, knowledge and implementation organisations and networks. These will be strengthened via peer-to-peer exchange, policy dialogues, regional and international events among others.
Partners
Use Cases
African countries
High-Level SDG Overview
SDG 3
Good Health and Well-being
The project addresses health risks from household air pollution by promoting clean cookstoves fueled by bioethanol. In South Africa, the project reduced emissions of CO₂, NOx, and particulate matter.
SDG 4
Quality Education
The project provides hands-on instruction in renewable energy technologies. In Morocco, the provision of electricity for 16 households allows children to study in the evening. Over 225 individuals in Ghana and over 100 participants in Morocco were trained in technical skills.
SDG 5
Gender Equality
Clean cooking solutions reduce the burden of cooking and fuel collection on women and girls, freeing up their time for other activities. The urban mobility platform in Morocco attracted 40% female ridership. The PV hub in Kenya also offered employment opportunities for women.
SDG 7
Affordable
and Clean
Energy
The project makes modern, affordable, and reliable energy a reality for rural households. In Morocco, the project produced 36,562 kWh of clean energy annually and provided first-time electricity access to 100 people. In Kenya, solar PV hubs and leasing models reduced reliance on fossil fuels and avoided high upfront costs for users.
SDG 8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
The project creates new jobs and opportunities for economic development. In Ghana, Econexus Ventures created five retail outlets and Nastech Power Solutions created 52 new jobs. The project in Morocco created 8 direct jobs in the e-mobility application. In Kenya, new jobs were created in maintenance, battery swapping, and recycling.
SDG 9
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The project fosters innovation through the deployment of advanced renewable energy technologies, such as solar PV systems with second-life batteries and bioethanol cookstoves. The project in South Africa used repurposed second-life EV batteries for stationary energy storage. In Morocco, it established a solar microgrid and an e-mobility platform’s charging infrastructure.
SDG 11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
The project improves the quality of life through cleaner cooking alternatives and reliable solar energy access. In South Africa, the transition to micro-utility EVs offers lower operating costs and improves local transportation for vulnerable groups.
SDG 12
Responsible Consumption and Production
This is a core contribution to the Kenya living lab. The project promotes a circular economy by repurposing second-life EV batteries, which avoids 218.85 kg of e-waste in South Africa. In Malawi, a change in behavior is promoted through training on the use of efficient cookstoves.
SDG 12
Climate Action
The project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels and wood burning with solar PV systems and bioethanol fuel. The Morocco demonstration avoided 67,205 kg of CO₂, 1,363 kg of NOx, and 387 kg of PM emissions annually. In South Africa, a total of 5,896.62 kg of CO₂ was reduced.
SESA Demonstration, Validation and Replication Sites
Latest News
SESA Policy briefs on Green electric infrastructure, Agri-food systems, and Acceleration of sustainable growth through Innovation, Education and Awareness Raising
These policy briefs, informed by the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) project, present key recommendations aligned with the ambitions of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Paris Agreement. It aims to be a practical contribution to ongoing policy dialogue and development cooperation, particularly in support of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda and the EU- Africa Global Gateway Investment Package. It seeks to inform evidence-based policymaking by identifying replicable models, priority areas for regulatory reform, and targeted recommendations for supporting inclusive and sustainable energy transitions across Africa.
New publication: Practical operation and maintenance manual on community information spots (infospots)
This guide serves as an essential resource for system operators, community leaders, and everyday users. By empowering you with the knowledge to maintain your InfoSpot, we can ensure communities everywhere have the tools they need to thrive in a connected world.
New publication: Practical operation and maintenance manual for Solar PV Systems
This capacity-building manual was developed as part of the SESA project – Smart Energy Solution for Africa, funded by Research & Innovation funds of the European Union. It is designed for technicians, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) proprietors, and ordinary consumers.
A clean energy mission in Africa: SESA final event’s impact in numbers
Check out our new infographic, providing a detailed look at the successful SESA final event in Brussels!
Mission Accomplished: Looking on our final event in Brussels and celebrating SESA’s contribution to African energy
Brussels, Belgium, will be the hub for discussions on the future of sustainable energy in Africa on 20-21 May, 2025
We are thrilled to present ‘Africa in Transition – A Bright Future for Energy and Communities,’ our major final event bringing together European and African ecosystem leaders, innovators, and policymakers!
Join us for “Africa in transition – A bright future for energy and communities”, our final event in Brussels
Brussels, Belgium, will be the hub for discussions on the future of sustainable energy in Africa on 20-21 May, 2025
We are thrilled to present ‘Africa in Transition – A Bright Future for Energy and Communities,’ our major final event bringing together European and African ecosystem leaders, innovators, and policymakers!