18 May 2026, Khartoum – More than three years into a devastating conflict that has shrunk Sudan’s economy by over 40 percent and inflicted up to US$3 billion in damage to the electricity grid, a new study from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) notes a critical need for solar power for households, farms and small businesses – but warns that customs bottlenecks, weak quality controls and limited financing risk undermining its impact.

The Solar Energy Value Chains in Sudan report, released today, draws on trade data, household survey results and interviews with importers, installers, MSME owners and farmers across multiple states. It finds that demand for solar has surged since early 2024 as families and businesses seek alternatives to a failing grid and to diesel generators that cost up to ten times more to run than a solar system.

“Solar power is now essential infrastructure in Sudan,” said Luca Renda, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Khartoum. “It allows farmers to irrigate fields, clinics to keep vaccines cold and small businesses to stay open, even during war. But this clean, reliable energy source depends on overstretched small enterprises operating in extremely difficult conditions. Without targeted support for suppliers and consumers, its potential will not be realised.”

Despite global panel prices falling sharply over the last decade, solar remains out of reach for many Sudanese due to high upfront costs, depreciating local currency and limited access to credit. The study finds that imports face months-long delays at Port Sudan and that inland transport is hampered by arbitrary state-level fees and security risks. Recent disruption of the main shipping route has forced importers to source directly from overseas manufacturers, locking out smaller traders unable to meet full-container minimums and 100-percent downpayments. A flood of low-quality components has also eroded consumer trust and the departure of skilled engineers hampers maintenance once systems are in place.

The report sets out a package of short-, medium- and long-term interventions to strengthen the sector. Short-term priorities include streamlined customs procedures and exemptions for certified components, rapid training for technicians, and an Emergency Solar Access Fund to help households, farmers and MSMEs – including women-led enterprises – overcome high upfront costs. Over the medium term, the report calls for a dedicated renewable energy agency, trade credit guarantees to mitigate currency risk for importers, and a national information portal to consolidate scattered market data.

The study also proposes a community-based model that builds on a successful pre-war partnership between the Sudanese Electricity Distribution Company, microfinance institutions and neighbourhood cooperatives. Adapted for solar, the model would deliver community-managed microgrids, financed through Sharia-compliant instruments and repaid through prepayment metering, making clean energy affordable for low-income neighbourhoods without requiring large upfront payments from individual households.

“As Sudan’s cheapest source of power by a significant margin, the case for solar is overwhelming,” said Renda. “What it now needs is the right environment for expansion, including predictable customs, accessible finance, trained technicians and quality assurance. With these in place, solar can provide reliable power millions of Sudanese to drive their own dignified and rapid recovery.”

Over the past five years in Sudan, UNDP has installed almost 300 solar water systems for irrigation and household use. This has boosted yields, cut diesel use and lowered costs by up to 70%. UNDP has have also solarised 110 health facilities and three women’s centres. In total, UNDP's solar projects have improved health, skills and livelihood opportunities for around 800,000 people.

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Notes to editors

The Solar Energy Value Chains in Sudan report was prepared by UNDP Sudan, drawing on Chinese solar PV export data compiled by Ember Energy, the 2022 Sudan Labor Market Panel Survey, focus group discussions with MSMEs across eight states, and interviews with importers, distributors and installers conducted in 2025.

For more information contact:

Hajer Suliman, UNDP Sudan, Head of Communications, hajer.suliman@undp.org, mobile and WhatsApp +249 918 008 819

About UNDP Sudan 

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