This paper presents findings from the LEOPARD project, part of the LEAP-RE program, a joint European Union (EU) and African Union initiative to advance renewable energy solutions. The study employs a simulation-based approach to optimize solar-integrated microgrid configurations for rural electrification. The project deployed a solar-integrated pilot microgrid at the Songhai agroecological center in Benin to address key challenges, including load profile estimation, energy balancing, and diesel dependency reduction. A hybrid methodology integrating predictive modeling, real-time solar and weather data analysis, and performance simulations was employed, leading to a 65% reduction in diesel reliance and an LCOE of EUR 0.47/kWh. Quality control measures, including compliance with IEC 61215 and IEC 62485-2 standards, ensured system reliability under extreme conditions. Over 150 days, the system consistently supplied energy, preventing 10.16 tons of ${CO}_2$ emissions. Beyond the Benin pilot, the project conducted feasibility assessments in Senegal to evaluate microgrid replicability across different socio-economic and environmental conditions. These analyses highlight the scalability potential and the economic viability of expanding solar microgrids in rural areas. Additionally, this research explores innovative business models and real-time diagnostics to enhance microgrid sustainability. By providing a replicable framework, it promotes long-term energy access and regional adaptability. With a focus on community involvement and capacity building, this study supports efforts to reduce energy poverty, strengthen European–African collaboration, and advance the global clean energy agenda.

This study investigates long-term energy transition pathways for Senegal up to 2050 using the integrated optimization model GENeSYS-MOD. Building on previous studies, it adopts a spatially explicit multi-sector perspective integrating electricity, transport, industry, storage, and hydrogen within a unified optimization framework. The Senegalese energy system is represented through seven regional nodes and simulated over the period 2022–2050 under three scenarios reflecting different levels of climate ambition: Business-as-Usual (BAU), Intermediate Decarbonization (ID), and Net Zero (NZ). The analysis evaluates the evolution of energy supply, technology deployment, sectoral energy consumption, electricity dispatch, and CO2 emissions across the three pathways. The results indicate that large-scale deployment of solar photovoltaic and onshore wind, combined with the progressive electrification of transport and industry, constitutes the primary driver of long-term decarbonization. Under the ID scenario, renewable energy reaches nearly 73% of electricity generation by 2050, while the NZ pathway results in an almost fully renewable electricity system. Natural gas contributes to system reliability and facilitates renewable energy integration by replacing oil-based generation during the transition period; however, continued reliance on gas beyond 2040 becomes incompatible with deep decarbonization objectives. The analysis highlights the importance of battery storage, hydrogen, and sector coupling for integrating high shares of variable renewable energy, enhancing system flexibility, and reducing emissions. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of integrated multi-sector energy system modeling for supporting energy planning and provides insights into the technological and structural transformations required to achieve secure, sustainable, and low-carbon development pathways in Senegal and other emerging African economies.