The report presents the solarelectrification program in Swaziland, aimed at meeting thebasic electrical needs of rural communities, of whichcurrently, less than five percent is connected to powergrids. Although implementation efforts have been madetowards the development of sustainable solar markets in thecountry, a number of constraints, and barriers hinderimplementation, e.g., rigid product assortment, focused onphotovoltaic technology, rather than service delivery, and,aggravated by poor access to credit. The initial step,creation of awareness will play a pivotal role, sinceacceptance of solar electrification by the rural community,the government, and the electricity utility SwazilandElectricity Board (SEC), is critical to the sustainabilityof the program. The deliverables of this solarelectrification program include: basic needs assessment,focused on energy needs for both productive, and communityactivities; development, and implementation of a wide rangeof solar products, delivery modes, and promotion strategies;monitoring, and evaluation of solar energy uptake, energyuse, energy expenditures, and user satisfaction, comparedwith baseline conditions; and, continued efforts to prod, ata national level, the enactment of a rural electrification policy.
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