The World’s rise in temperature has led to climate change which is a threat for human beings and the environment. Step-out of fossil fuels and adopt cleaner sources of energy are key in the fight against climate change. Covid 19 remarkably reduced air ambient pollution and CO2 emissions accounting for more than 70% of Greenhouse Gases. However, the pandemic caused disproportionate damages among the community, especially for low-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Communication is key during this pandemic. Communicate on the measures, the restrictions, communicate on the rate of infection, update on the Government’s actions and scientists work. But what if some people, vulnerable people, cannot have access to simple communication sources because they lack access to electricity? Do you know that according to the International Energy Agency, people lacking access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 600 million to 800 million? While everything now needs energy, working from home and being up-to-date in new announcements on the pandemic. How will someone with no access to electricity know that he should self-isolate to avoid transmitting the infection? or How will someone work from home when he does not have simple energy? Covid 19 has revealed social inequalities in the energy sector that have actually been there for a long time. Access to clean and affordable energy is an essential right enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7). In Sub-Saharan Africa countries, electricity sourcing has been for a long time centralized and affected by bureaucracy, devoted to the only Governments. Decentralized energy systems, therefore, appear to be a strong solution to the issue of energy poverty. Indeed, developing policies that will enable non-state actors to provide energy and empower communities are key. Energy financing policies to promote community energy systems is a solution that has proven to be effective in other areas in the world like Scotland. It gives to the communities a sense of self-determination and helps governments to share their duties. In community energy schemes, communities have ownership and control over energy systems, they can rely on governments for technical and financial needs. Bet on investment policies to foster energy access projects as is the case in China is another important solution. The policies could be tax incentives for clean energy equipment, less bureaucracy for electricity projects, and facilitation of access to financing for energy projects. Further Public-private partnerships in the sector would be a stand-alone solution to alleviate Government pressure. Africa clean energy access represent just 2% of the World renewable energy share. Thus, there is work to be done to alleviate energy poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa
2139-11