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đŸŒ± Powering Peace: How Renewable Energy Can Stabilize the Central African Republic đŸ•ŠïžđŸŒ

Discover how renewable energy access can promote peace, stability, and development in the Central African Republic, one of the world’s least electrified nations.

Author

Green Glow
April 01, 2025

The Central African Republic (CAR), a nation rich in natural beauty and resources, remains one of the most fragile states in the world. Since its latest crisis erupted in 2013, millions have been displaced, and peace remains elusive despite several political agreements. Yet amidst this instability, a powerful tool for peacebuilding is emerging: renewable energy.

Electricity access—often taken for granted elsewhere—remains out of reach for more than 84% of the population. This energy poverty deepens social divides, limits economic opportunity, and fuels unrest. But with the right investments and political will, renewable energy could help stabilize CAR, reduce conflict, and support a brighter, more peaceful future.

Table of Contents

The Crisis: A Nation Divided by Power (and Lack of It)

CAR's conflict is rooted in decades of political, economic, and social marginalization. Elites in the capital, Bangui, have historically held power, while peripheral regions—particularly in the north and northeast—have been neglected.

These same regions have little to no electricity infrastructure, fueling feelings of exclusion and resentment. Armed groups often thrive where the government is absent, and without energy access, communities lack basic services like healthcare, education, and communication.

The lack of energy is not just a development issue—it’s a driver of insecurity.

Electrification as Peacebuilding

Increasing access to electricity is about more than turning on the lights—it’s about empowering communities.

  • Improved security: Electrified areas can benefit from public lighting, reducing crime and enabling safer movement.

  • Economic development: Energy access allows for small businesses, agricultural processing, and digital connectivity.

  • State legitimacy: When the government delivers basic services, trust in institutions can grow.

  • Reduced tensions: In CAR, where ethnic and religious tensions have flared, equitable energy access can reduce grievances and promote inclusion.

Simply put, electricity can help “switch on” peace in regions long left in the dark.

The Promise of Renewable Energy

CAR has immense renewable energy potential, especially in solar and hydropower:

  • Solar energy is particularly promising in the country’s sun-rich northeast and central regions. Distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can be deployed quickly and don’t require major grid infrastructure.

  • Hydropower, while more developed in the south and southwest, can also support centralized energy production if paired with regional microgrids.

Renewable energy offers a sustainable, affordable, and climate-resilient solution to CAR’s energy crisis—reducing the need for costly diesel and protecting the environment from deforestation and pollution.

MINUSCA: A Peacekeeping Mission with a Big Energy Footprint

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in CAR (MINUSCA) is the country’s largest energy user, consuming nearly 23% of all electricity and 20% of imported fuel—yet only 3% of its energy is from renewable sources.

This dependency on diesel:

  • Increases operating costs

  • Weakens the mission’s mobility and sustainability

  • Diverts military capacity to fuel convoy protection

By contrast, a shift to renewable energy would:

  • Improve MINUSCA’s resilience and effectiveness

  • Reduce its environmental footprint

  • Set an example for the wider country

  • Leave behind durable infrastructure for communities once the mission ends

With the goal of reaching 8–9% renewable usage by 2025, MINUSCA has begun installing solar panels, but more ambitious efforts are needed.

Partnerships for Progress: Who Needs to Step Up?

MINUSCA cannot power peace alone. It needs support from multiple stakeholders:

1. The CAR Government

  • Prioritize renewable projects in marginalized regions

  • Support local mini-grids and solar development

  • Attract investment through public-private partnerships

2. International Donors and Development Banks

  • Fund off-grid solar in hard-to-reach communities

  • Work with MINUSCA to build joint-use infrastructure (e.g., solar plants that power both bases and towns)

  • Leverage existing plans for peacebuilding and climate action

3. UN Agencies (UNCT) and NGOs

  • Coordinate renewable energy strategies across agencies

  • Use solar for humanitarian facilities and services

  • Integrate energy access into conflict resolution and reconciliation programs

4. The Private Sector

  • Explore Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with MINUSCA and local governments

  • Invest in affordable solar technologies suited for fragile contexts

Recommendations at a Glance

Action Area

Recommendation

MINUSCA

Increase engineering staff, invest in solar for remote bases, pursue PPAs

CAR Government

Electrify neglected regions, support energy infrastructure in Bria, Bouar, Birao

UN & Donors

Fund solar microgrids, promote synergy across UN programs, support clean transitions

Private Sector

Partner on scalable, affordable solar projects

Conclusion

In the Central African Republic, renewable energy is not just a climate solution—it is a peace solution.

Electrifying marginalized regions can help address the root causes of violence, support sustainable development, and give citizens a tangible reason to believe in their future. MINUSCA’s transition to clean energy can be a catalyst, but lasting change will require a united push from government, international partners, and civil society.

As the sun rises daily over CAR’s vast and troubled landscape, solar power could help light a path out of conflict—one community at a time.

FAQs

Why is energy access important for peace in the Central African Republic?

Energy access is essential because it reduces inequality, boosts local economies, and supports basic services like healthcare and education. In marginalized areas, it can help reduce grievances that fuel conflict and armed group recruitment.

What role does MINUSCA play in renewable energy in CAR?

MINUSCA is the largest energy consumer in CAR and has the infrastructure to lead by example. By shifting to renewables, it can reduce fuel reliance, lower costs, improve mission effectiveness, and support peacebuilding efforts.

What types of renewable energy are most viable in CAR?

Solar energy holds the greatest potential due to high solar irradiation, especially in the northeast. Hydropower is more feasible in the south and southwest, where water resources are more abundant.

What are the main challenges to renewable energy in CAR?

Challenges include lack of infrastructure, slow project implementation, limited government capacity, funding constraints, and insecurity in remote regions.

How can international partners support renewable energy in CAR?

Donors and development banks can invest in solar microgrids, partner with MINUSCA for joint-use infrastructure, and support national electrification plans targeting marginalized communities.

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