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.