In Africa, energy poverty is a stark reality for millions. An estimated 600 million people on the continent still lack access to electricity, significantly affecting their daily lives and prospects for the future. In Uganda, 55% of the population remain without access to electricity due to high upfront costs, limited financing options, policy and regulatory barriers, competition from other energy sources according to Edwin Mumbere, Director at Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment.

This energy gap hinders education, healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life. In rural areas, families rely on makeshift solutions like kerosene lamps, candles, and dry grass to light their homes, posing health and safety risks.

REPower Afrika: A Community-Led Solution

Amid these challenges, the REPower Afrika campaign stands as a transformative initiative empowering communities and fostering sustainable development through renewable energy solutions. By 2025, REPower Afrika aims to provide electricity to 100 villages along the EACOP route with solar installations. 

In the heart of Kijumba, a small village in Uganda set to be traversed by the EACOP, Vesitiina Kyomukama and her family have experienced a profound transformation. Vesitiina, a resilient mother of four, has always worked tirelessly to provide for her family despite the challenges they face as peasants in a rural area.

Before the intervention of REPower Afrika, Vesitiina’s household, like many others in Kijumba, was engulfed in darkness every night. The only source of light came from dry reeds that they lit inside their home. This dim and unhealthy lighting made it difficult for her children to study and complete their homework, impacting their education and future prospects.

“Before we were given this solar system, we used to live in total darkness, and the only remedy was to light up dry reeds for light inside the house. But when we were given the solar system, our children started revising their books, and life is better now.”

The arrival of solar power not only brightened their home but also illuminated the path to a better future for her children. They could now study after sunset, enhancing their educational opportunities and instilling a sense of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Vesitiina’s relief is palpable, but she also hold a deep desire for her entire community.

“I would wish that in the future, those who have not benefited from this phase of the REPower Afrika campaign to also benefit so that they can also shift from darkness to solar light. I also urge that we have a solar system installed in our community where we can provide land so that everybody in this area benefits from the initiative because many also would love to have solar systems in their homes,” Vesitiina

Her vision extends beyond her own family, advocating for a community-wide transformation where everyone can enjoy the benefits of renewable energy.

These solar installations are more than just technological improvements; they represent a shift towards a sustainable and equitable future. Communities are taking control of their energy futures, demonstrating the immense potential of renewable energy. By replacing unreliable and hazardous lighting methods with clean, reliable solar power, these initiatives are improving education outcomes, safety, and overall quality of life. Vesitiina’s story is one out a 100,000 others affected by the EACOP project.

As the world prepares for COP30 in Brazil, the REPower Afrika campaign calls on global leaders, financial institutions, and policymakers to prioritize investments in renewable energy. We urge African governments to create policies that facilitate the deployment of renewable energy technologies and attract substantial investments. It’s time to stop financing harmful fossil fuel projects and redirect those funds towards sustainable and equitable renewable energy solutions.

The stories of resilience and hope from communities in Uganda remind us that, together, we can shine a light on a brighter, more sustainable future. 

Join us in supporting REPower Afrika and be a part of this transformative journey by signing our petition calling for more investment and support for renewable energy in Africa.