Oluchi Obinegbo

Graduate Student Research Funding | 2023–2024 Academic Year

Maximizing the Benefits of Energy Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa

Addressing energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for achieving sustainable development. However, the effectiveness of interventions depends on approaches tailored to local contexts; otherwise, they risk perpetuating inequities, further hindering progress. Existing energy equity metrics, used to assess the fairness and inclusivity of energy systems, were developed in the context of the global north and lack indicators that reflect regional nuances. This work captures and translates these nuances, using a participatory approach, into a more comprehensive evaluation framework that stakeholders can use to assess the equitability of energy interventions, ensuring they meet the needs of communities in the region.

Oluchi Obinegbo, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Obinegbo, a second-year Ph.D. student, focuses her research on integrating equity considerations into energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Aligned with SDG 7, her work is grounded in the principles of energy equity and aims to develop an evaluation framework for assessing the equitability of energy interventions in the region. Before joining Stanford, Obinegbo worked as an Environmental Consultant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and as a Research Assistant with the Center for Spatial Ecology and Restoration. In these roles, she honed her skills in using data to address environmental challenges. Obinegbo's work promises to contribute to developing pathways that foster sustainable and inclusive energy solutions for the region and, on a broader scale, to the sustainable development of the region.

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