Harnessing Fintech Innovations for Renewable Energy: Revolutionizing Investment Models to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7

Abstract

In order to attain Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 - Access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy for all, and the energy-related SDGs (SDGs 9 and 13), innovative financing mechanisms are needed to attract a range of actors and sources of finance at scale. This paper examines the disruptive potential of fintech on the renewable energy investment model. In particular, it explores how fintechs underpinned by blockchain, crowdfunding, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and decentralized finance (DeFi) can unlock capital access, streamline transactions, and build transparency in clean energy financing ecosystems. Drawing on an integrative review approach and complemented by country case studies from Nigeria, Kenya, and India, the article highlights patterns of how fintech apps facilitate access to inclusive, distributed, and ESG-compliant renewable energy solutions. Key findings indicate that fintech significantly widens access to energy finance and fosters local stakeholders, but regulation, cybersecurity, and digital exclusion present scaling challenges. The paper is rooted in Financial Intermediation Theory and Sustainable Investment Theory, providing a conceptual model to explore how digital innovations and policy environments interact with sustainable energy outcomes. It concludes with policy suggestions for developing enabling regulatory frameworks, strengthening digital infrastructure, and promoting cross-sector collaboration to scale up fintech-facilitated energy transitions. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital sustainability and offers practical guidance for policymakers and other stakeholders on connecting financial innovation with global clean energy objectives.