KAMPALA – In a big boost to Uganda’s rural electrification efforts, Schneider Electric has launched its innovative Climate Smart Village solution to help bring affordable solar-powered electricity to communities off the national grid.
The solution was unveiled on Monday, April 8, during the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF), currently underway in Kampala, where investors, energy experts, and policymakers have gathered to discuss Africa’s electricity challenges.
According to the International Energy Agency, more than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity—yet Uganda’s national grid reaches just 18.9% of the population, mostly in urban areas. This leaves rural households with few options.
Schneider’s new solution aims to change that. Powered by solar energy and managed through smart digital tools, the Climate Smart Village system supplies energy to homes, irrigation systems, agro-processing machines, and streetlights—all tailored to local demand.
“This isn’t just about powering homes,” said Ifeanyi Odoh, General Manager of Schneider Electric East Africa. “It’s about creating jobs, boosting agriculture, and lifting incomes.”
He pointed to success stories from rural India, where similar setups have raised household incomes by over UGX 2.7 million annually and reduced the number of young people leaving villages in search of work.
Schneider also launched a white paper on gender inclusion in renewable energy, developed with the Alliance for Rural Electrification. It highlights the role of women in driving community energy projects, showing that women-led groups have doubled incomes in some areas.
“Women are central to community energy access,” said Albert Fuchet, Schneider’s Global VP for Access to Energy. “By supporting women’s involvement, we create more inclusive and sustainable solutions.”
Having already surpassed its target of reaching 50 million people with electricity by 2025, Schneider Electric says it’s just getting started in Africa.
“We believe access to clean, reliable energy is a human right,” added Odoh. “We are proud to partner with Uganda to make that a reality.”
The EAIF forum continues through April 10, with participants expected to announce more strategies to power Africa’s future.
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