A systems thinking approach for energy markets in fragile places

By adopting a market systems approach, aid can do more to ensure access to energy in fragile places is more effective and sustainable.

Energy is a priority for refugees yet traditional approaches for its delivery are costly and ineffective, while energy access often falls away once aid is withdrawn. The aid sector is starting to look at more market-based approaches and market systems development for energy. 

Short-term solutions need to be combined with efforts to understand the complexity and the behaviours and norms around how people access energy through markets. In the long run, market-based and market system solutions can provide more self-sustaining energy solutions that are not dependent on aid.