By Brandon Moss

The Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank have announced a major multi-million-dollar initiative aimed at accelerating the use of solar energy across Africa’s agricultural sector, with a focus on improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and expanding access to reliable power in rural areas.

The programme will initially roll out across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—countries where limited or unreliable electricity continues to constrain agricultural value chains. By integrating solar-powered technologies into farming and post-harvest operations, the initiative seeks to address one of the sector’s most persistent challenges: energy access.

Solar Solutions for Farming and Post-Harvest Management

Funding under the programme will be channelled through non-profit organisations to deliver solar-powered equipment directly to farmers. These technologies include irrigation water pumps, grain mills for on-farm processing, and refrigeration and cold storage units for produce preservation.

Such solutions are particularly critical in off-grid and underserved rural communities, where farmers often rely on expensive diesel generators or manual labour. The project will be implemented by CLASP, a Washington-based non-profit specialising in energy efficiency and access, which will oversee the distribution and installation of solar systems in participating countries.

Linked to Africa’s Broader Energy Access Goals

Speaking during a visit to a solar-powered agricultural facility in Nairobi, Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah highlighted the programme’s scalability, noting that while the initial funding is substantial, the initiative is designed to expand as additional financing is mobilised.

The project is aligned with Mission 300, a large-scale electrification programme led by the World Bank in partnership with the African Development Bank, which aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people across Africa by 2030.

Tackling Post-Harvest Losses and Food Waste

Agriculture employs more than half of Africa’s workforce, yet post-harvest losses remain a major constraint on farmer incomes and food security. In some regions, up to 40% of harvested crops are lost due to inadequate storage, lack of refrigeration, and limited processing infrastructure.

Solar-powered cold rooms and refrigeration units are expected to significantly reduce spoilage, allowing farmers to store produce for longer periods and sell at more favourable market prices rather than being forced into distress sales.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Beyond productivity gains, the shift to solar energy offers clear environmental and financial advantages. Solar-powered systems reduce dependence on diesel, lowering operating costs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Over time, the initiative is expected to contribute to more stable food prices, increased rural incomes, and stronger resilience across agricultural supply chains.

The investment underscores a growing recognition that modernising African agriculture requires integrated solutions—addressing energy access, climate resilience, and food security simultaneously.