Renewable Energy Microgrids and Livelihoods in Northern Cameroon: A Scoping Review

Renewable energy microgrids are being increasingly implemented in rural areas of developing countries to enhance access to electricity and support sustainable development goals. A systematic search strategy was employed to identify relevant studies and articles. The review included peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and grey literature published between and . Microgrids have demonstrated significant potential in improving access to electricity, particularly for rural households, with a proportion of at least 50% experiencing enhanced energy security and productivity gains. Renewable energy microgrids show promise as tools for stimulating local economic activities and enhancing livelihoods in northern Cameroon. Further research should explore the long-term impacts and potential barriers to adoption, while policymakers should consider integrating renewable energy solutions into sustainable development strategies. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.