UKAid Funded SIGMA Project Aims to Enhance Understanding of Mini-Grid Development in Africa
- Category: News
- Published: Tuesday, 07 May 2024 16:17
- Written by Elvis
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In a bid to tackle the challenges hindering the development of mini-grid electrical generation and distribution systems in Africa, the SIGMA project, supported by the UKAid fund, was implimented in four African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Senegal.
Initiated in 2020 and concluded in March 2024, the SIGMA project, supervised by the University of Surrey in the UK, aimed to enhance the understanding of issues related to sustainability, inclusiveness, and governance of mini-grids in sub-Saharan Africa. Implemented in Tanzania by TaTEDO-SESO (TaTEDO -Sustainable Energy Services Organization), the project aimed to develop an evidence-based approach to address barriers and challenges hindering mini-grid development in the region. The key objectives of the research study included developing an evidence base on mini-grid performance through an extensive review of the literature and primary data collection from existing mini-grid projects and stakeholders, creating a framework to analyze the political economy of energy access and the sustainability of mini-grids, and conducting in-depth case studies of mini-grid sustainability, inclusiveness, and governance in the four target countries.
The research activities involved various methodologies, including literature review, interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Stakeholders from different sectors, including mini-grid operators, government authorities, equipment suppliers, and end-users, were engaged in the data collection process.
As part of the project, TaTEDO SESO organized a one-day workshop to present the findings of the study and seek additional inputs from stakeholders. The workshop aimed to enrich the research findings and contribute to the development of regulatory frameworks and final country reports.
Through collaborative efforts and stakeholder engagement, the SIGMA project endeavored to provide valuable insights and recommendations to facilitate the sustainable development of mini-grid systems in Africa, thereby enhancing access to electricity in remote rural areas.
