Fact Sheet: DRE Opportunities

In Ethiopia and Uganda, agriculture plays a crucial role in securing food, supporting livelihoods, and generating employment. Yet both economies face persistent energy deficits. As of 2023, national electricity access stood at 52% in Uganda and 55% in Ethiopia, with connectivity concentrated along grid networks, while many productive farming areas and emerging economic zones remain underserved (ESMAP, 2025; Kersey et al., 2025).

Decentralized renewable energy (DRE) offers a practical pathway to agricultural modernization, bringing reliable power directly to farming communities. When coupled with productive uses of energy (PUE) such as irrigation, milling, refrigeration, and mechanization, it can boost yields, cut losses, and create new income and employment opportunities. Unlocking this potential, however, hinges on targeted policy support and investment.