The “Gender, Social Inclusion and Energy Access at the Corner of African Border Border” report, prepared by the African Gender and Energy Team on the World Bank, in collaboration with the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) and regional partners, examines deep sheet gender disparities in energy access for Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and deep sheets of energy access. The study, conducted under the Horn of Africa's Sustainable Energy Supply Project (HOA Rises, P174175), highlights the considerable cleanliness of women, young people, elderly people, people with disabilities (PWDs), refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) facing access to electricity and clean cooking solutions. It highlights the urgent need for policy reform, infrastructure investments and targeted programs to empower these groups and bridge the energy gap.
The burden of energy poverty on women
Although the Horn region of Africa is experiencing economic growth, poverty, anxiety and gender inequality remain major challenges, especially in border regions. Women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty as they take the primary responsibility for household tasks such as cooking, water collection and fire gatherings. The lack of modern energy services means that women in these areas spend several hours daily gathering fuel, often exposed to gender-based violence (GBV) and other risks.
Access to electricity remains very unequal between urban and rural areas, urban centres have better connectivity, and rural and border and border communities suffer from severe power disruptions. In Sudan and Ethiopia, urban power access rates are above 80%, while in rural areas it is below 40%. Clean cooking solutions are even more inaccessible, with many rural households relying on biomass fuels such as fire and charcoal that contribute to deforestation, indoor air pollution and severe respiratory diseases. In Djibouti, 86% of rural households still rely on charcoal and timber, causing an environmental and health crisis that disproportionately affects women and children.
Vulnerability, conflict, and electrification challenges
Political instability and conflict in countries such as Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia make energy access even more difficult for displaced people. Lack of data on gender and energy usage patterns further complicates efforts to design targeted interventions. IDPs, refugees and pastoral communities often live in remote areas where the country's energy infrastructure is poor or nonexistent. Even in urban areas, the high cost of electricity makes low-income women affordable for head-to-head households.
The findings reveal that women-led businesses and small traders in border regions struggle significantly due to unreliable electricity supply and expensive tariffs. In Somalia, for example, women operating small stores near the industrial zone must travel more than 10 km each day to buy ice for refrigeration, as business does not have electrical connections. This economic constraint prevents them from expanding their business and forces them into an unsustainable and exploitative labor market.
Unleash opportunities through energy policies including gender
Several policies and intervention strategies have been proposed to address these important gaps. It is important to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks related to gender and access to energy. The country needs national gender and energy policies that institutionalize gender-responsive energy programs. Kenya is already developing gender and energy policies and needs to adopt a similar framework across the region.
Scaling off-grid solar solutions and clean cooking techniques into hard-to-reach communities is a priority. Results-based funding (RBF) and catalytic grants should be implemented to encourage private sector investment in energy services in marginalized communities. Kenya's Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) has successfully used the RBF model, leading to increased power access in underserved counties. Similarly, the Ugandan government provides subsidised electricity connectivity to more than 105,000 poor households, significantly improving the affordability of energy.
Targeted financial support is essential. This includes subsidies, a flexible payment model, and cash transfers that help low-income households provide energy services. In India, direct grant programmes have enabled millions of women to access liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for clean cooking, demonstrating that gender-targeted interventions can change energy access.
Empowering women and boosting economic growth
Women in border regions can play a transformative role in the energy sector if given the right opportunity. Programs that integrate women as energy service providers such as solar product distributors, mini-grid operators, and clean cooking entrepreneurs can create sustainable income opportunities while promoting energy access. In Senegal, the Progede II project successfully trained a group of women as wholesalers and retailers as retailers of cooking improvements, leading to the widespread adoption of clean energy solutions.
Furthermore, improving public energy access in border areas is important for healthcare and education. Electrified hospitals and maternal clinics will improve the functionality of newborn care, vaccine storage and medical devices. Schools with reliable power can introduce digital learning, extend learning time and improve overall educational outcomes, especially for young girls.
While there is great potential in the corner of Africa's borderlands, gender and social inclusion must prioritize energy access initiatives. Policymakers, development agencies and the private sector must work together to create comprehensive energy interventions that ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity for all. Addressing energy poverty through gender-responsive policies and investments unlocks economic opportunities, reduces inequality, and promotes sustainable development across the region.
