How rural electrification is transforming Ethiopia’s agriculture sector

Ethiopia's agricultural sector is on the brink of transformation, thanks to the synergies between rural electrification and productivity, processing, and businesses. A recent report by Dawit Mekonnen, a research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, highlights the immense potential and opportunities for development by effectively linking electrification with agriculture in Ethiopia. The report estimates that across six selected agricultural value chains, productive uses of electricity could generate around $4 billion in the next five years. However, to actualize this potential, electrification efforts must be accompanied by support for productive energy applications beyond mere wire and connection provision. This necessitates concerted efforts to enhance in-use applications that can drive economic growth in the agricultural sector. The report serves as a catalyst for further exploration and action in leveraging energy for productive agricultural purposes. This entails detailed demand mapping, project piloting, and mobilizing resources for large-scale programs to propel rural electrification initiatives.