Powering Peace: Can Renewable Energy Help End Africa’s Conflicts?

May 4, 2026 | Andrew Hyde
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When armed groups began threatening a community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that had recently gained access to solar-powered electricity, something unexpected happened. Rather than flee, residents rushed to protect their mini-grid. They put themselves at risk to keep the lights on.

That story, shared at a three-day convening in Nairobi in March 2026, captures a thesis that experts across the renewable energy, finance, government, and peacebuilding worlds are increasingly taking seriously: that energy access and conflict are deeply intertwined, and that access to clean energy can help to reduce conflict. The gathering brought together more than 45 participants from across the energy, finance, government, and peacebuilding communities to wrestle with that thesis and the conditions under which it can become a reality. Ultimately, participants agreed that access to clean energy can be a tool for peace, provided the work is done intentionally, with communities at the center, and backed by a new generation of financial tools.