LARGE-SCALE WIND AND SOLAR PROJECTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA © IRENA 2025 Unless otherwise stated, material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, providedthat appropriate acknowledgement is given of IRENA as the source and copyright holder. Material in this publication that is attributed ISBN 978-92-9260-643-5 Citation: IRENA (2025),A just energy transition for communities: Large-scale wind and solar projects in Sub-Saharan Africa,International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. About IRENA TheInternational Renewable Energy Agency(IRENA)is an intergovernmental organisation that supportscountries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for internationalco-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledgeon renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable Acknowledgements Under the guidance of Michael Renner and Gondia Seck (IRENA), and Divyam Nagpal (ex-IRENA), this report wasauthored by Holle Wlokas, Andy Spitz, Lelethu Buso, Yaowen Deng and Ed O’Keefe (Synergy Global Consulting), drawingon research contributed by Sarah Stands. The report was initiated under Rabia Ferroukhi (ex-IRENA) and finalised under The report benefited from the review and inputs of IRENA colleagues Babucarr Bittaye, Mirjam Reiner, Ntsebo Sephelaneand Elizabeth Njoki Wanjiru, as well as IRENA Technical Reviewer Paul Komor. Publication and editorial support were provided by Francis Field and Stephanie Clarke. The report was edited by IRENA would like to thank the Government of Denmark for supporting the work that formed the basis of this report. For further information or to provide feedback:publications@irena.orgThis report is available at:www.irena.org/publications Disclaimer This publication and the material herein are provided “as is”. All reasonable precautions have been taken by IRENA to verify the reliability of the material.However, neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data providers or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either The information contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of the Members of IRENA. The mention of specific companies or certainprojects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by IRENA in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA concerning the legalstatus of any region, country, territory, city or area, or the authorities thereof, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries. Cover photos:Kirsz Marcin ©Shutterstock.com, Oni Abimbola ©Shutterstock.com, Hryshchyshen Serhii ©Shutterstock.com, kevin ouma ©Shutterstock.com,SofikoS ©Shutterstock.com, Sebastian Noethlichs ©Shutterstock.com, JLwarehouse ©Shutterstock.com, Dudarev Mikhail ©Shutterstock.com,Alejandro_Molina ©Shutterstock.com, Arnold.Petersen ©Shutterstock.com, and Fabian Plock ©Shutterstock.com CONTENTS Figures, tables and boxesAbbreviations Introduction 1.1 Context. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61.2 Initiatives and projects to drive renewable energy growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101.3Socialjusticeandcommunityengagementinrenewableenergyprojects. . . . . . . . . .121.4 Objectives and scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 2 2.1 Siting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182.2 Ownership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212.3 Community development investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252.4 Skill development and employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272.5 Local business development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322.6 Community energy and gender aspects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 3Discussion of good practices for community benefits 3.1 Human rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373.2 Gender equality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .393.3 Indigenous peoples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .423.4 Stakeh