Solar Advocacy
Removing obstacles in the solar sector
With the Solar Advocacy project, Solafrica worked with local partners from 2021 to 2025 to strengthen the framework conditions and networking in the Ethiopian solar sector. The starting point was a contradiction: although the sector offered great potential for jobs and income, it was often difficult for young professionals to get started.
Context and challenges
A market system analysis showed that a lack of coordination, weak industry organizations and insufficient political support were the main factors hampering the development of the solar sector.
Building on this, Solafrica developed targeted measures together with stakeholders from the private sector, administration and civil society to improve cooperation in the sector, strengthen institutional capacities and promote practical training opportunities.
The most important results included the expansion of the institutional capacities of the solar association ESEDA, which now has 152 members, 59 of whom are actively involved, the publication of key basic papers for the further development of the sector and networking and dialog formats that strengthened the exchange between relevant stakeholders.
2 Solar associations
were specifically strengthened: the national solar association ESEDA and the solar association of the Amhara region ARSEA.
150 - 200 players
were directly integrated into an active network in the solar sector.
80,000 people
were indirectly sensitized through training, field visits and demonstration measures in 15 municipalities.
The foundations were also laid at a political level: 30 political decision-makers were reached directly, including via the Ministry of Water and Energy and advisory bodies.
A comprehensive policy framework and supplementary recommendations were incorporated into ongoing discussions surrounding the National Electrification Program 3.0. This made the project results structurally connectable beyond individual activities. However, full implementation lies outside the project period.
Solafrica remains involved locally with the Solar Learning Ethiopia project.