Sustainable cities

People walking down crowded street in a village

By 2050, Africa's urban population is expected to double to an estimated 1.5 billion people. Rapid urbanization already poses enormous social, environmental and economic challenges for national and local governments, as well as for the population. The lack of access to basic services, social inequality, rising poverty and increasing pressure on natural resources and the environment are some of the most pressing challenges. 

Access to clean energy can play a crucial role in addressing rapid urban growth in Africa. Dependable and cost-effective access to clean energy serves as the bedrock for facilitating essential services and infrastructure within cities and informal settlements. This encompasses vital aspects such as transportation, lighting, heating and cooking, which support communities to transition away from dangerous, unhealthy and costly fuel sources. 

Clean energy enhances the quality of life for residents and supports economic activities, including small businesses and productive enterprises, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth. Working with public and private sector actors and in collaboration with communities, we strive to find sustainable solutions to these challenges.


person on motorcycle talking to a man in front of solar panels

Building a cleaner economy around electric vehicles

Electric motorcycles are becoming a cornerstone of sustainable mobility in sub-Saharan Africa, presenting significant opportunities for e-mobility innovators in a market projected to reach US$5.07 billion by 2027. These vehicles offer distinct advantages over four-wheeled counterparts, especially on rugged terrain, and provide stable income opportunities for drivers. Yet, meeting rising demand requires overcoming key challenges: enhancing durable hardware availability, deploying reliable charging infrastructure, and ensuring high-quality battery solutions. Through the Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO) program, we support local innovators manufacturing electric motorcycles on-site, developing networks of solar-powered battery-swap stations and offering rental-based clean energy storage solutions such as lithium-ion batteries.    

woman leaning over cooking pot

Enabling clean cooking access in urban informal settlements

The Enabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access (ENACT) program works with local governments to create an enabling environment to provide adequate, safe, reliable, clean and affordable access to energy in informal settlements through market-led solutions.

By partnering with the private sector, local governments and national energy ministries, it is anticipated that ENACT will improve access to clean cooking and provide lighting solutions to at least 3,000 households and micro-enterprises in the two project cities of Kampala, Uganda, and Freetown, Sierra Leone. This activity is expected to facilitate the creation of at least 2,000 jobs, 30% of these within businesses owned and managed by women.