Kenya is emerging as a beacon of sustainable energy in Africa, with praise from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for its ambitious strides toward universal electricity access by 2030 and significant progress in renewable energy expansion. The IEA’s 2024 Energy Policy Review highlights Kenya’s remarkable progress, with electricity access soaring from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2023. Urban areas now enjoy full coverage, while rural electrification, driven by the Last Mile Connectivity Project, has connected 9 million people.
A regional leader in off-grid solar, Kenya accounted for 75% of East Africa’s solar home system sales in 2023. Renewable energy sources, including geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar, comprise 90% of the nation’s electricity mix, with projects like the Lake Turkana Wind Farm and world-class geothermal plants cementing Kenya’s position as a pioneer in affordable, clean energy.
Clean cooking access has risen from 10% in 2013 to over 30% in 2023, with a goal of universal access by 2028 under the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy. Grid modernization, supported by 2024 regulatory reforms to attract private investment, further strengthens Kenya’s energy framework.
Kenya’s strategic policies, innovative investments, and international partnerships, combined with its inclusive, low-carbon development model, position it as a leader in Africa’s green economy, offering valuable lessons for the region.
