KAMPALA | April 8, 2025 – Global energy management leader Schneider Electric has launched a transformative solar-based energy solution, dubbed the Climate Smart Village, aimed at bridging Uganda’s rural-urban energy divide.
The announcement was made at the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2025, currently underway in Kampala. The Climate Smart Village solution utilizes IoT-enabled technology to deliver efficient, clean, and affordable power to rural communities, supporting homes, smallholder farms, streetlights, and agro-processing facilities.
According to the International Energy Agency, more than 600 million Africans remain without access to electricity. In Uganda, only 18.9 percent of the population—mainly urban dwellers—are connected to the national grid.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Ifeanyi Odoh, General Manager of Schneider Electric East Africa, noted that the new platform not only enhances energy access but also creates economic opportunities.
“Our technology is empowering rural communities. We’ve seen cases in India where similar interventions increased household incomes by up to $830 annually and reduced youth migration,” said Mr. Odoh.
The solution is part of Schneider’s broader Access to Energy initiative, which has already surpassed its 2025 target of connecting 50 million people, reaching 53.4 million by the end of 2024.
Additionally, Schneider Electric launched a white paper on gender inclusivity in energy, in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification. The report highlights how empowering women in clean energy efforts has led to substantial economic growth in rural communities.
“Women-led energy groups have doubled incomes in some areas,” noted Mr. Albert Fuchet, Global Vice President for Access to Energy at Schneider Electric.
The EAIF 2025 continues until April 10 and brings together investors, policymakers, and stakeholders to accelerate access to sustainable energy in Africa.
