Let's use green technology to bridge urban-rural economic divide

Sh232.5 million Mageta Solar Mini-Grid in West Yimbo, Siaya county. [File, Standard]

As we confront the dual challenges of rapid technological change and escalating environmental concerns, the potential of green technology to narrow the economic divide between urban and rural areas has never been clearer and more achievable.

The realisation of this potential hinges on a crucial factor: government leadership. Across developed and developing nations, we urgently need targeted policies and strategic investments from public and private sectors to foster balanced regional development and unlock sustainable economic opportunities in rural areas.

During my tenure as the UK’s Minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with responsibilities spanning Africa and the Caribbean, I witnessed first-hand the stark disparities between urban centres and rural areas.

These disparities are not unique to developing nations – they persist in advanced economies as well. The challenge lies in finding innovative solutions and technology that can stimulate rural economies while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns.

Green and low-carbon technology offers a compelling solution to this challenge. Recent technological breakthroughs including sophisticated enhanced battery life for wind and solar power, Carbon Capture, Sequestration and Storage (CCUS) projects, improve sustainability of key resources and bring new life to hard-to-abate industries.

Meanwhile, Small Modular Reactors – an increasingly popular tool for nuclear energy generation – offers a flexible and transportable source of power for remote communities who may not access the main grid.

These innovations can transform rural landscapes, create sustainable energy sources, create jobs, and improve living standards. In fact, by helping expand production of renewable and low-carbon power in rural communities, these technological breakthroughs can play a critical role in ensuring greater access to basic services, including education and healthcare, thus upskilling human capital in remote areas.

However, implementation of key climate solutions often requires significant upfront investments and specialised knowledge – resources that rural communities lack. This is where proactive government intervention and support becomes indispensable.

Governments hold ability to create enabling environments to facilitate adoption of green technology in rural regions. By introducing ambitious forward-looking policies, providing financial incentives, encouraging private sector investment and facilitating knowledge transfer, they can drive a green revolution in areas that have long been overlooked.

One example is Morocco's ambitious carbon capture project in the Sahara Desert. As a result of government support and a commitment to energy innovation, the London-based startup Brilliant Planet has created a 6,100-hectare algae farm in the country’s southern-most region, where cutting-edge technology is used in combination with natural processes to remove 30 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year than a typical European forest.

The government's commitment to this project has not only positioned Morocco as a leader in clean energy, it has also created hundreds of jobs in rural areas.

My experiences in Africa have shown that such innovative approaches can yield remarkable results. In Kenya, for instance, government support for off-grid solar solutions has brought electricity to remote villages, spurring economic activities and improving educational outcomes.

In Rwanda, government-backed initiatives promoting clean cooking technologies have not only reduced deforestation, improved health but also created new economic opportunities in rural areas.

The UK's overseas territories also offer valuable lessons in government-led green initiatives. The integration of clean energy systems in these often-remote locations has enhanced energy security, reduced costs, and created new job opportunities. These successes demonstrate that even in small, isolated communities, green technology can be a powerful driver of economic development.

In the Caribbean, I observed the transformative impact of government-supported sustainable tourism strategies. By incentivising eco-friendly practices and investing in clean energy infrastructure, islands like Dominica and Barbados have rejuvenated their rural economies while preserving their natural beauty. These initiatives have created new jobs in eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture and green construction.

Importantly, these lessons are not limited to the Global South, as developed countries have also understood the critical need to expand clean and low-carbon energy access in remote areas. The UK's own Rural Community Energy Fund serves as a prime example. This government scheme provides funding for rural communities to explore clean energy projects, empowering them to be energy independent and generate income through excess energy production. Such initiatives not only reduce carbon emissions but also inject vital economic resources into rural areas.

As we look to the future, the role of government in promoting green technology adoption in rural areas will only grow in importance. Climate change and environmental degradation pose existential threats to many rural communities, particularly in developing nations.

Every year, discussions at ADIPEC – the world’s largest energy event – underscore a growing acceptance of this critically-important task.

There is broad consensus that the potential of green technology to close the economic gap between urban and rural areas is immense. However, realising this potential requires more than just technological innovation – it demands visionary government leadership, private sector finance and sustained commitment. By enacting targeted policies, offering the necessary financial and logistical support, and fostering environments conducive to green innovation, governments can unlock the transformative power of green technology in even the most remote rural communities.

As we grapple with the pressing challenges of the 21st century – climate change, the energy transition, and access to economic opportunity – harnessing green technology for rural development offers a proven blueprint for success.