Recovering bioenergy in Sub-Saharan Africa: gender dimensions, lessons and challenges

M. Njenga and R. Mendum

No 284244, IWMI Reports from International Water Management Institute

Abstract: There is a strong link between gender and energy in view of food preparation and the acquisition of fuel, especially in rural areas. This is demonstrated in a range of case studies from East and West Africa, where biochar, human waste and other waste resources have been used to produce briquettes or biogas as additional high-quality fuel sources. The synthesis of the cases concludes that resource recovery and reuse for energy offers an alternative to conventional centralized grid projects which, while attractive to investors and large-scale enterprises, do not necessarily provide job opportunities for marginalized communities. Reusing locally available waste materials for energy production and as soil ameliorant (in the case of biochar) in small enterprises allows women and youth who lack business capital to begin modest, locally viable businesses. The case studies offer concrete examples of small-scale solutions to energy poverty that can make a significant difference to the lives of women and their communities.

Keywords: Community/Rural/Urban Development; Consumer/Household Economics; Farm Management; Financial Economics; Industrial Organization; Labor and Human Capital; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 96
Date: 2018-02-26
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr and nep-ene
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:iwmirp:284244

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.284244

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