The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is accelerating efforts to expand energy access in Africa, particularly in agriculture, through the Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM). Africa faces significant energy challenges, with 80% of the 775 million people lacking electricity worldwide residing in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the International Energy Agency.
This week, Neal Hegarty, Vice President of Programs at the Mott Foundation, visited Uganda to assess progress within the East Africa partner ecosystem working on sustainable energy projects. The visit, hosted by Innovation Village and Heifer International, brought together key stakeholders including Ashoka, the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), the Worldwide Fund, EED Advisory, and the Africa Centre for Media Excellence (ACME).
The discussions centered on overcoming barriers to renewable energy adoption, such as the lack of technical expertise, insufficient local entrepreneurship, and limited financial services, which collectively impede the uptake of solar energy in agriculture. The DREEM initiative, central to the Foundation’s efforts, seeks to promote solar energy solutions in agriculture, especially in aquaculture, horticulture, and dairy farming across East Africa.
Hegarty reaffirmed the Mott Foundation’s commitment to leveraging solar energy for agricultural development. “In 2015, we launched the DREEM model in Tanzania with WWF to scale access to solar-powered services, addressing challenges like inadequate climate financing and limited access to sustainable energy innovations. After the success in Tanzania, we expanded DREEM to Kenya through KCIC and to Uganda with Heifer International.”
“DREEM is a multi-stakeholder approach aimed at helping energy-poor communities transition to sustainable energy systems that enhance livelihoods while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.
Robert Ddamulira, Program Officer for Advancing Climate Change Solutions at the Mott Foundation, underscored the transformative potential of solar technologies in agriculture. “Solar solutions can revolutionize farming by powering irrigation, food processing, and refrigeration, enabling smallholder farmers to operate more efficiently. The DREEM model promotes sustainable growth, job creation, and economic transformation in rural areas, while contributing to climate resilience.”
Ddamulira also emphasized the importance of partnerships and ecosystem collaboration. “By working with ecosystem organizations, solar energy providers, financial institutions, and tech innovators, we are creating new business opportunities that support scalable solar energy adoption. Innovative financing models are key to helping smallholder farmers overcome capital constraints and invest in these technologies.”
William Matovu, Country Director for Heifer International in Uganda, highlighted the urgent need for resilience in Africa’s agriculture. “The future of agriculture is in Africa, but it is under threat from climate change and farmers’ inability to adapt. Renewable energy is one solution to this challenge, and we are pleased to partner with the Mott Foundation to scale up support for productivity and sustainability. We are also working closely with the Ugandan government to implement the national Renewable Energy Policy.”
Arthur Mukembo, Lead FutureLab at Innovation Village, reinforced the message, emphasizing that solar energy is essential to overcoming agricultural challenges. “Solar power can address a range of agricultural needs, from irrigation to machine operation. It offers a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to many issues farmers face.” Mukembo further stressed the importance of innovative business models that make solar technology more accessible and affordable for smallholder farmers, particularly by reducing upfront costs and long-term ownership barriers.
However, challenges remain. The high cost of solar products, distribution limitations, and the complexity of installation pose hurdles, especially in remote areas. Mukembo called for streamlined development and deployment of solar technologies to ensure accessibility for underserved agricultural communities.
The Mott Foundation, through its DREEM initiative and partnerships, continues to position solar energy as a cornerstone for building resilient agricultural systems in Africa. By enabling smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable practices, the Foundation is driving meaningful change toward energy access, food security, and climate resilience.
