This report seeks to provide guidance for creating enabling policy frameworks for selected smart energy technologies in African countries. It presents nine case studies from various contexts, each focusing on a different technology.
Based on findings of the barrier analysis developed as part of the SESA project, this report supports the development of policy roadmaps and identifies good practice policies for each case study, proposing specific policy solutions to address the identified challenges. Thus, the report encourages national governments to initiate their own policy road mapping processes, while the case studies presented in this report can be seen as starting points for indepth discussions and policy implementation.

Executive Summary

As a collaboration project between the European Union and nine Africa countries, SESA, which stands for Smart Energy Solutions for Africa, 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. For nine country cases, this report provides policy guidance to support the market penetration of selected technologies.

These case studies are:
• Solar Productive Use in Kenya
• E-mobility in Kenya
• Clean Cooking in Malawi
• Second-Life Use of EV Batteries in South Africa
• PVs for Household in Morocco
• E-mobility in Morocco
• Second-life battery use as energy storage for solar photovoltaic systems in Ghana
• Bio-ethanol Technology for Cooking in Ghana
• Solar Irrigation in Rwanda

A policy roadmap is often seen as an official document containing fixed targets and target years as well as the corresponding steps or activities to realise these targets to which national governments have committed themselves. However, given the scope and constraints (e. g. limited resources) in the SESA project, the added value of D5.3 was considered to feed a potential road mapping process for certain technologies to be implemented in respective countries. Hence, D5.3 provides support or guidance to a similar but more granular government-backed process.

This document builds on the barrier analysis developed as part of the SESA project deliverable D5.2 (Jyoti & Rocha Romero, 2023). In fact, a barrier analysis had been conducted for each of the above cases. These analyses were based on the PESTELA-framework, which, basically, groups barriers in seven overall categories: political, economic, social, technological and infrastructural, environmental, legal as well as awareness and information.

As part of this Task, barriers identified in D5.2 and grouped according to PESTELA were prioritised by partners on a case-by-case basis in order to find the most pressing concerns for policy interventions. Based on desk research, complemented by expert interviews, countryspecific policies were identified that are needed for an enabling policy framework – to, ultimately, contribute to technology diffusion. The enabling framework serves in this case as a “toolkit” for possible policies and can serves as inspiration for policy changes. Moreover, the relevant steps to implement identified policies were identified and grouped into short-, medium- and long-term activities.

While it is difficult to draw conclusions for all case studies given the different country contexts and technologies analysed, some of the more general findings show that policy action is needed in several areas. While in all cases, economic aspects remain a key challenge (e. g. high prices for end-users), capacity building / training, awareness raising or regulatory changes almost always need to be part of a policy package, as well. In some case studies, ecological challenges of smart energy technologies remain a concern, too.

Some country-specific findings are:
• Solar Productive Use in Kenya: The case study highlights the importance of a clear strategy, communication, and monitoring to ensure successful implementation of solar productive use in Kenya. It also proposes incorporating community-based approaches and addressing the issue of e-waste through extended producer responsibility. Additionally, the roadmap highlights the need for education and capacity building to support the growth of the recycling industry and mitigate water stress, that could exacerbate if, for instance, solar PV systems are used for water pumping.

• E-mobility in Kenya: The role of a steering committee is emphasised to coordinate emobility activities. Several economic instruments may help to make EVs more affordable, but also to build a domestic manufacturing base in the long run. Grid reliability (and the increasing need for capacities to facilitate e-mobility) as well as the end-of-life handling need to be covered as the market expands.

• Clean Cooking in Malawi: can be based on a Multi-Level Governance Coordination Initiative. The policy roadmap provides a contributing strategy to enhancing clean cooking diffusion in Malawi. It ties together the critical elements of policy, stakeholder engagement, activities, and resources, creating a cohesive plan for the sustainable development of the sector.

• Second-Life Use of EV Batteries in South Africa: is critical for South Africa’s transition to a renewable-based electricity grid, but faces barriers like inadequate supply, lack of awareness, and safety risks due to insufficient regulatory frameworks. A proposed policy framework emphasizes safety standards, improved waste management, and collaboration among government, industry, and educational institutions to develop a robust ecosystem for battery recycling and repurposing, requiring stakeholder engagement, skilled workforce development, and funding for research and pilot projects.

• PVs for Household in Morocco: A key challenge besides the high upfront costs identified is providing a legal framework for grid connectivity and infrastructure in order to connect solar PV. The analysis suggests that learning from international examples and formulating suitable feed-in tariffs or net metering policies will contribute to accelerating rooftop solar PV deployment.

• E-mobility in Morocco: Morocco’s existing policy framework for transitioning to a net-zero emissions transport system is insufficient, requiring short, medium, and longterm actions to achieve its 2030 targets. Recommendations for addressing key barriers include promoting financial incentives, improving regulations for EV infrastructure and electricity sales, and raising public awareness, with the Ministry of Energy Transition, Ministry of Transport, and other stakeholders playing crucial roles in implementing these policies and encouraging sustainable electric mobility.

• Second-life Battery Use as Energy Storage for Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Ghana: Measures to drive technology diffusion include creating a supportive regulatory environment, providing incentives, promoting local content, raising awareness, establishing standards, supporting research, and promoting sustainable lithium mining. The successful implementation of these measures requires government involvement, resources, and a coordinated approach.

• Bio-ethanol Technology for Cooking in Ghana: The analysis proposes strategic measures to overcome obstacles through financial incentives, infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, public awareness campaigns, and research and development grants. The roadmap aims to create a supportive environment for the widespread adoption of bioethanol. Coordinated efforts from government institutions, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and the general public are needed to achieve significant progress in promoting clean cooking technologies and contributing to sustainable development.

• Solar Irrigation in Rwanda: As relevant policies, this analysis suggests, for instance, the promotion of water harvesting for irrigation, in combination with financial support and training to develop sound business models. If all proposed policy measures are well implemented, this may lead to the adoption of solar-powered irrigation systems in Rwanda and, hence, may change the harvest yields of farmers and positively affect the climate and the economy of the country.

Executive Summary  

This report presents a summary of the implementation and outcomes of five demonstration actions conducted under the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) project in a demonstration living lab- Kenya, and four validation countries- Morocco, South Africa, Ghana, and Malawi. These actions were designed as pilot sites for testing innovative, community-driven renewable energy solutions tailored to diverse socio-economic, geographic, and regulatory contexts. The overarching goal was to support inclusive and sustainable energy transitions across Africa by validating decentralized, clean energy technologies and approaches. 

SESA operates within the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 programme, emphasizing real-world application, community co-creation, and knowledge transfer between European and African partners. The five country pilots were guided by a unified methodology structured around five strategic objectives: 

• SO1 – Inform: Engage stakeholders and raise awareness on renewable energy opportunities. 

• SO2 – Inspire: Stimulate innovation through local success stories and cross-regional collaboration. 

• SO3 – Initiate: Build community capacity and develop localized energy ecosystems. 

• SO4 – Implement: Deploy and test renewable energy solutions adapted to local conditions. 

• SO5 – Impact: Create scalable, lasting change through partnerships and institutional engagement. 

In Kenya, the demonstration established a Modular Living Lab in Katito (peri-urban) and Kisegi (rural), piloting solar microgrids, solar charging hubs, and productive-use appliances co-designed with communities. The approach prioritized capacity-building and long-term partnership development to expand access and scale deployment. 

Morocco implemented a dual demonstration approach. In urban areas (Marrakesh, Fez, Agadir, and Benguerir), the focus was on electric mobility solutions—including e-motorcycles and EV charging stations. In rural villages, the project piloted solar PV systems to provide basic electricity access, aligning with Morocco’s national climate and energy goals. 

In South Africa, the pilot was conducted in Alicedale, a marginalized rural town in the Eastern Cape. The project deployed a containerized off-grid solar energy system with second-life EV batteries and micro-electric vehicle (micro-EV) charging infrastructure. This integrated solution addressed both energy access and sustainable transport, while promoting digital monitoring and local empowerment. 

 Ghana focused on three priority areas: 1) clean cooking using bioethanol-fueled cookstoves, 2) repurposed lithium-ion batteries for solar energy generation and storage, and 3) education and awareness through energy “infospots” in schools. These actions were implemented in Accra and Kumasi to build local capacity and support public schools and households with sustainable alternatives. 

 In Malawi, the demonstration targeted clean cooking and solar irrigation. The MIG BioCooker—designed to use locally produced biomass briquettes—was introduced to reduce deforestation and improve household air quality. Simultaneously, a solar-powered irrigation system was deployed with a loan-based model for smallholder farmers, implemented in partnership with the Smart Energy Enterprise (SEE). 

 Common themes across the five demonstrations include the importance of co-design, local governance, and financial inclusion in ensuring the success and replicability of clean energy solutions. Key barriers encountered ranged from limited access to finance and policy fragmentation, to technical capacity and infrastructural challenges. Nevertheless, the pilots generated actionable lessons and evidence supporting the scalability of decentralized energy models in African cities and communities. 

 The report concludes by highlighting the relevance of these findings for policymakers, energy planners, and technology providers seeking to foster just energy transitions. SESA’s integrative approach—linking technology, policy, and people—offers a blueprint for inclusive, climate-aligned development in both developed and developing countries.