Towards achieving sustainable development goal 7 in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of the role of off-grid solar energy

Abstrac t Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to a significant proportion of the global population lacking direct access to conventional electricity, particularly in rural areas. Off-grid solar is an increasingly important means through which this population realize some kind of electricity access. This study aims to critically examine the performance of off-grid solar technologies and highlight their role towards contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) in SSA. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the study conducted a comprehensive review of fifty-eight (58) studies. Off-grid solar (OGS) energy was found to contribute significantly towards the attainment of the United Nations SDG7 in SSA through the provision of electricity to power basic household devices. OGS systems also support rural livelihoods and improve health service delivery and education in the rural milieu. Challenges to the adoption of solar energy include e-waste generation due to the short lifespan of devices and injustices in the implementation and adoption of solar photovoltaic systems. OGS systems present several advantages to rural households apart from lighting and offer an alternative route to electrify millions of households across the Global South. Future research could delve into the barriers and opportunities for the sustainability of the off-grid solar energy sector in SSA.