Title: Energy access gaps, biomass power and Sub-Saharan Africa: a remediation model for policy development

Authors: June Levi-Oguike; Diego Sandoval; Vishwas Vidyaranya

Addresses: African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD), CST, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda ' African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD), CST, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda ' Ambire Global, Bogota, DC, Colombia

Abstract: This paper extends the drivers-pressures-state-impact and response (DPSIR) model to the context of current energy access and waste management challenges for Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective is to highlight opportunities for decentralised biopower adoption, while considering the multifaceted environmental and economic challenges exacerbated by the global pandemic. The model is applied to a biopower-related case study and the outcome suggests amongst others, that the presence of requisite infrastructure, environmental legislation, strategic public-private partnerships, policy advocacy, intervention and implementation, all contribute positively to successful waste valorisation and renewable energy-recovery schemes. The DPSIR model is adopted in this context, to advance renewable energy, environmental and specifically solid waste management policy efforts in the region, while promoting the use of biomass resources in electricity generation.

Keywords: energy access; Africa; sustainability; biomass; DPSIR; policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.141625

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.35 No.2, pp.182 - 197

Received: 14 Dec 2021
Accepted: 06 Jul 2022
Published online: 27 Sep 2024 *

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