The Rural Energy Challenge in Senegal: A Mission Report

Field research conducted in rural Senegal in March 2007 highlights the scale of the challenge posed by the lack of access to modern energy services. As part of the Human Development Report 2007/2008 “Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world” , the research consisted of a series of interviews with local populations regarding community access to modern sources of energy and the impacts that inadequate energy consumption has on their overall livelihood activities. The field visit also sought to explore the broader linkages between the prevailing high levels of poverty, regional climate variability and the lack of access to modern energy. The research indicated that energy poverty is acute in these areas and pose a persistent challenge to local populations, particularly women and young girls. However, even though the lack of access to adequate energy services is a major hurdle in its own right, it must also be viewed through the larger perspective of poverty and livelihood activities. The lack of access to clean energy sources is somewhat a symptom of the high levels of multidimensional poverty that prevail in these areas. Consequently, to be effective, policies addressing energy poverty will need to be designed in unison with other prevalent poverty markers. There is also a wealth of knowledge derived from traditional practices that constitute a valuable asset to these communities. These practices, if harnessed and supported through well formulated policies can provide sustainable solutions to poverty reduction initiatives.