Access to modern energy services still remains low in Africa. An estimated 500 million people on the continent have no access to grid electricity. The majority are in the rural areas. In Zimbabwe, energy poverty remains high with about half of the population (6 million) without grid electricity. The energy access disparity between the urban and rural communities is unsustainable with rural communities relying on low intensity, inefficient and often unhealthy energy sources. Using the case of Zimbabwes pilot National Domestic Biogas Program, the paper draws several lessons and pitfalls for Africa and the developing world on alternative sources of energy.