Private sector partnerships for sustainable livelihoods: the case of solar energy access in refugee communities in Ethiopia
Partner: IKEA Foundation
Type of organization: Foundation – Non-Profit Making
Country of Operation: Ethiopia
Climate Adaptation Sector Thematic Area: Human Settlements & Infrastructure
Adaptation best practice: Improving the livelihoods and self-reliance of refugee and host communities through increasing energy access through solar mini-grids and cooking solutions.
Activities
Economically inclusive and resilient refugee hosting area in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmayo Woredas, Ethiopia, 2022-2024. This is the fourth phase of a long-standing partnership with IKEA Foundation in the Ethiopia and specifically in Melkadida sub-office.
This project aimed at improving the livelihoods and self-reliance of refugee and host communities through increasing energy access through solar mini-grids and cooking solutions. Between 2019 – 2024, 6 solar mini- grids were installed and are being operated by energy cooperatives consisting of host and refugee members across the five camps and hosting areas. A total of 48 members are providing clean energy for 1,230 customers (households, institutions, businesses).
Project Successes
The main successes of this project include increased income generation (for 2022, income to 2.1 million ETB and savings of 0.7 million ETB), as well as increased access to energy for 1200+ customers. In addition, 50 people were trained and developed skills to became certified members on solar energy. The project is a business-oriented project, but at the same time the cooperatives are providing up to 10% of customer base to the most vulnerable customers with free energy, in return of UNHCR/IKEA Foundation supporting in battery replacement which took place in 2021/2022.
Good practices and lessons learned
The project proved and introduced the technology from 2019 and beyond, provided technical trainings and increased the capacity and set of skills which paved the road to other actors (EU/Spanish Cooperation Agency, Ethiopian Electric Utility and AfDB) to invest and implement energy projects in the area. The current access is around 12-15% and it’s expected to be around 22% by June 2024, which is still low. The project can be scaled up, using the cooperatives, the Ethiopian Electric utility and other actors to increase access to energy. All the needs, costs, interventions are assessed as a part of a costed 5-years development plan for the area of operation which includes Energy, Water, Land and People.
Further information
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