Housing Quality and Energy Security in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa. A Qualitative Policy Analysis in DR Congo and Kenya

Abstract

Housing quality and energy security in Sub-Sahara Africa have a complex relationship which is still underexplored. While energy security, which encompasses access to safe and affordable energy, has been acknowledged as a significant factor impacting housing quality in SSA, the need for integrated approaches and targeted interventions to improve both is highlighted in existing literature. There is an increased diffusion of solar energy solutions that were primarily directed to rural locations to address energy security and consequently housing quality in SSA cities. This redirection of both location and use of decentralized solar solution in urban SSA is still insufficiently explored especially with regards to policies, regulations and incentives promoting housing improvements and energy security through decentralized solar energy use for residential electricity access in SSA urban areas. Thus, this paper seeks to contribute to this research gap by analyzing and comparing housing and energy policies as well as strategy documents in Congo and Kenya through qualitative content analysis with the aim of 1) revealing to what extent these documents promote equitable provision of housing quality and energy security in urban areas and 2) revealing how integrated energy and housing policies are to promote the use of decentralized solar energy in urban areas.

The analysis highlights the following challenges (1) lack of effective enforcement mechanism (2) lack of incentives to improve housing quality and energy security and to promote decentralized solar solutions in urban areas (3) poor integration of housing and energy policies (4) lack of financial sustainability of proposed measures.