Gender, Culture and Energy Transitions in Rural Africa

This research paper examines the intersection of gender, culture, and energy transitions in rural Africa, specifically analyzing the Mpanta solar mini-grid in northern Zambia through the Energy Cultures Framework to demonstrate how socio-cultural norms affect the distribution of benefits from modern energy services.

• Integrating gender concerns into energy sector decision-making enhances development outcomes, although practical applications have often prioritized technological solutions and immediate needs over the systemic cultural, political, and socio-economic contexts required for true gender equity.
• An analysis of the Mpanta solar mini-grid in rural northern Zambia reveals that transitions to modern energy services—including mobile phone charging, lighting, and powering appliances—are not gender neutral, as socio-cultural norms and practices result in an uneven distribution of benefits between men and women.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2018). Gender, Culture and Energy Transitions in Rural Africa. https://www.sei.org/publications/gender-culture-and-energy-transitions-in-rural-africa/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Gender, Culture and Energy Transitions in Rural Africa. 2018. https://www.sei.org/publications/gender-culture-and-energy-transitions-in-rural-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Gender, Culture and Energy Transitions in Rural Africa |date=26 November 2018 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/gender-culture-and-energy-transitions-in-rural-africa/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2018gender, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Gender, Culture and Energy Transitions in Rural Africa}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2018}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/gender-culture-and-energy-transitions-in-rural-africa/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }