File:The Productive Use of Renewable Energy in Africa.pdf

English: In a time when the world is working towards universal access to clean energy and sustainable development, as exemplified by the SE4All initiative and the UN SDG on energy, it is crucial for the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) to underline the key role Productive Use of Renewable Energy

(“PURE”) can and should play for the future growth path of Africa.

This paper addresses the need for reliable energy access for businesses to enable the productive use of clean energies. Energy security from private sector perspective means that present and future access to energy is guaranteed at affordable prices. It focuses on the benefits of PURE, highlights lessons learnt and challenges, and formulates recommendations to stimulate its spread and better realise its potential.

In addition, the paper presents case studies from nine African countries to show promising ways to successfully engage in rural developing areas for entrepreneurs, NGOs, investors and policymakers. ARE believes that these examples can also be used as showcase examples in other parts of the developing world.