19 August 2026: The Government of Angola and the African Development Bank Group have launched the Eastern Region Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, a strategic initiative designed to transform the country's agricultural sector.

The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 240,000 households, representing around 1.2 million people, with a strong focus on the economic inclusion of women and young people.

The transformative intervention aims to accelerate agricultural development in Eastern Angola by promoting a more modern, resilient, and market-oriented agricultural sector. It will support the development of value chains for cereals, beans, soybeans, groundnuts, cassava, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil, with particular emphasis on wheat and rice production to help reduce imports while strengthening the production ecosystem of smallholder farmers.

By leveraging the Eastern Region's strategic location along the Lobito Corridor, the project will stimulate agricultural growth, improve market access, attract private investment, and position agriculture as one of the key drivers of Angola's economic diversification.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held 16 July 2026, Isaac dos Anjos, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, said: "The launch of the Eastern Region Agricultural Value Chain Development Project marks an important milestone in the transformation of Angola's agricultural sector. We are creating the conditions for farming families to gain greater access to knowledge, technology, finance, and markets, enabling them to transition from largely subsistence farming to a more productive and market-oriented agricultural system."

The minister underscored how the project reflects the Angolan government's commitment to promoting a modern, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector capable of generating income, creating jobs, and improving living conditions in rural communities. “Our partnership with the African Development Bank is essential to accelerating this transformation and ensuring that agriculture continues to serve as one of the country's main engines of economic development," he added.

African Development Bank Country Representative in Angola, Pietro Toigo, stated: "The African Development Bank is proud to support Angola at this decisive stage in unlocking the enormous agricultural potential of the Eastern Region. This project represents a transformative investment to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, and create economic opportunities for men, women, and young people."

The African Development Bank's vision is to support integrated interventions that deliver sustainable impact by combining infrastructure, technical expertise, innovation, and private sector development.

“We believe this investment will help transform agriculture in Angola into a solid foundation for industrialisation, economic diversification, and inclusive growth," Pietro explained.

The Eastern Region Agricultural Value Chain Development Project further strengthens the strategic partnership between the Government of Angola and the African Development Bank.

18 August 2026: The Africa Circular Economy Facility, a multi-donor trust fund administered by the African Development Bank Group, is expanding its reach to five additional nations supporting the creation and implementation of national circular economy roadmaps and continuing to work with three countries. This second cohort enhances a program that continues to demonstrate how the integration of circularity into public policy, can drive economic transformation.

As part of this second phase of the National Roadmaps for the Circular Economy (NCER) program, Angola, Liberia, Madagascar, and Senegal will develop their own roadmaps by identifying priority sectors, aligning institutional efforts, and tailoring strategic guidelines to their local productive structures. Meanwhile, Benin, Chad, Ethiopia, and Mauritius, are entering the implementation phase to translate government frameworks into actionable policies, funded programs, and sustainable institutional capacities.

“The continent faces an annual development financing gap of more than $400 billion. Roadmaps for the circular economy can help countries strengthen their domestic productive capacities and turn their priorities into investment opportunities,” said Anthony Nyong, Director of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department at the African Development Bank Group.

A vast portion of Africa’s natural resources continues to be exported unprocessed, hindering industrialisation and limiting local job creation. The circular economy directly mitigates this structural loss of value by retaining resources and their productive potential within national economies.

Focused on value creation and community opportunities, this approach aligns seamlessly with the African Development Bank Group’s Four Cardinal Points strategic vision and the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD) seeking to mobilise more African capital, strengthen the continent’s financial markets, and finance large-scale transformation to promote employment, business growth, and local value creation.

The four countries in the first cohortBenin, Cameroon, Chad, and Ethiopia have already demonstrated the potential of this approach. Their respective roadmaps successfully identified priority sectors, most notably in construction, forestry, agriculture, plastics, textiles, manufacturing, energy, and water management.

In Chad, the roadmap aims to create more than 25,000 green jobs and reduce non-recycled waste by 40% by 2035, across six priority sectors. “Far from being a luxury, this initiative is a vital necessity for Chad’s future. It paves the way for us to diversify an economy that is still heavily dependent on oil,” said Chad’s Minister of the Environment, Hassan Bakhit Djamous.

In Benin, the Circular Economy Action Plan, launched in February 2026, sets ambitious 10-year goals: to achieve a 25% recycling rate, ensure the collection of all municipal waste, and establish 300 circular economy businesses.

Roadmaps serve as structural frameworks for investment. They allow stakeholders to pinpoint the sectors where circular solutions create the most value, organize the actions necessary for deployment, and define the governance mechanisms essential to their sustainability.

Through the Africa Circular Economy Facility, which also finances the African Circular Economy Alliance, the Bank Group provides the technical assistance needed to establish an enabling policy and institutional environment. The goal is to move Africa’s circular economy transformation from ambition to action.

12 August 2026: Scatec ASA, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, has successfully reached Commercial Operations Date (COD) for the second phase of its 1.1 GW Obelisk solar and 100 MW/200 MWh battery storage project in Egypt.

The Obelisk project has been built in two phases. The first phase comprises 561 MW of solar capacity and the total 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system, while the second phase now adds an additional 564 MW of solar capacity. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed in November 2024 and the project has been completed in record time.

“Reaching full commercial operations at Obelisk marks a defining milestone for Scatec. Completing Africa's largest hybrid solar and battery installation demonstrates our ability to develop, finance, and deliver large-scale renewable energy projects in emerging markets. Obelisk will supply clean, reliable power to Egypt for 25 years and is a tangible contribution to the country's energy security and transition,” says Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec.

The Obelisk project is Africa’s largest hybrid solar and battery installation, with an expected abatement of more than 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. It is projected to deliver over 3,000 GWh of clean energy annually, which will be supplied to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) denominated in USD.

With Obelisk now fully operational alongside the 380 MW BenBan solar plant, Scatec has approximately 1.5 GW in operation in Egypt. Scatec’s near-term growth portfolio in Egypt further includes more than 4.3 GW of renewable energy capacity and 4.1 GWh of battery storage capacity, with the total combined portfolio expected to deliver approximately 17 TWh of clean electricity annually and provide critical grid stability support. Egypt remains one of Scatec's most important long-term growth markets.

Scatec is the controlling shareholder of the project with National Bank of Egypt, Norfund and EDF Power Solutions as minority equity partners. The project has been financed with the support of leading development finance institutions, with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), African Development Bank (AfDB), British International Investment (BII) and European Investment Bank (EIB) acting as senior lenders. Scatec has developed and delivered the project through its fully integrated business model, providing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Asset Management (AM) and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) services across the full project lifecycle.

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About Scatec: Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets. As a long-term player, we develop, build, own, and operate renewable energy plants, with 6.4 GW generation and 2 GWh storage capacity in operation and under construction across five continents. We are committed to growing our renewable energy portfolio, delivered by our passionate employees and partners who are driven by a common vision of ‘Improving our Future’. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘SCATC’. To learn more, visit www.scatec.com.

6 August 2026: In Ethiopia’s Jimma Zone, smallholder farmers are helping test a new model for African agriculture, backed by the African Development Bank Group and Japan.

The project aims to raise yields, restore depleted soils and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

The work is supported by the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant (PHRDG), a Japan-financed bilateral trust fund managed by the African Development Bank Group. Established in 1994, PHRDG is the Bank Group’s longest-standing bilateral trust fund and supports technical assistance, human capital development and knowledge exchange in agriculture, food and nutrition security, climate change, debt management and health. Japan has provided more than $50 million to the trust fund.

Through the project, Evidence-based Regenerative Agriculture to Address Climate Change in Africa, PHRDG is helping move Japan’s partnership with the Bank Group from financing and policy dialogue to field-level innovation. Implemented in Ethiopia by the Sasakawa Africa Association, the initiative combines farmer training, climate-resilient crop varieties, soil restoration techniques and Japanese digital agriculture technology.

On demonstration plots in Seka Chekorsa Woreda, farmers are using improved maize and wheat varieties with liming, vermicomposting, biochar-based fertilizers, reduced tillage and digital advisory tools. Early data shows strong productivity gains: wheat yields rose 89%, from 1,293.0 to 2,443.7 kilograms per hectare, while maize yields increased 272%, from 1,222.0 to 4,541.8 kilograms per hectare. The project has reached more than 91,000 farmers in Ethiopia, including nearly 30,000 women.

Tomoki Nakai, Executive Director at the African Development Bank Group, said: “Japan’s partnership through PHRDG demonstrates how innovation can help farmers address some of the most pressing challenges facing African agriculture. The value of this project lies not only in the results it delivers today, but also in the significant opportunities and lessons it offers for strengthening food security and resilient agricultural value chains through farmer-led approaches.”

Nakai, who represents Japan, Argentina, Austria, Brazil and Saudi Arabia on the Bank Group’s Board of Directors, led a June delegation to the project sites to review progress and meet farmers, extension workers, researchers and partners. The delegation included Innocent Musabyimana, the project task manager in the Bank Group’s Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, and Rosa Lugos, Principal Resource Mobilization Officer in the Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Department. The visit was organized by the Sasakawa Africa Association’s Ethiopia country office with local government partners and Jimma University.

The initiative is carried out with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and SoftBank Corp, now Greenin. It combines Sasakawa’s farmer training and sustainable farming expertise, climate-resilient crop varieties developed through the Bank Group’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation program, and e-kakashi, an artificial intelligence-powered digital agriculture solution developed by SoftBank.

E-kakashi collects and analyzes environmental and field data to help farmers and extension workers make better crop-management decisions. In Jimma, it is supporting analysis of the practices being tested, including their effects on greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon and growing conditions. The evidence generated will help identify techniques that can reduce emissions, improve soil carbon sequestration, increase productivity, and make more efficient use of water, fertilizer and labor.

During the visit, the delegation toured maize demonstration plots in Buyo Kechema Kebele, observed greenhouse gas emissions measurement, and visited a government-supported vermicomposting centre and nursery facilities. At the Shashemene Farmer Training Center, the delegation viewed maize and soybean demonstrations and saw e-kakashi technology supporting digital extension and data collection. The mission also included a visit to a biochar production facility at Jimma University’s College of Agriculture.

Musabyimana said: “This project is helping us move from assumptions to evidence. By measuring what happens in the field, from yield performance to soil conditions and emissions, we can better understand which practices are most effective and what farmers need to adopt them at scale.”

The project responds to constraints in the target communities, including high soil acidity, declining fertility, low productivity, limited adoption of improved agronomic practices, input shortages, drought, flooding and pest risks. Its farm-level package includes reduced tillage, liming, vermicomposting, biochar-based fertilizers, Bio-Boost inoculants, improved seeds, post-harvest technologies and digital extension tools.

The work is part of a broader PHRDG-supported effort across Ethiopia, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Uganda to build evidence on climate-smart farming practices, test farmer incentives, document lessons, and expand adoption of climate-adapted, biofortified and nutrient-rich crop varieties.

The Jimma visit underscored how Japan’s partnership with the Bank Group is translating trust fund financing into practical innovation at farm level, linking Japanese digital technology, scientific evidence, local extension systems and farmer training. As the model is tested and refined, it could offer smallholder farmers a pathway to higher productivity, healthier soils and more resilient farming systems.

6 August 2026: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $255 million loan from the African Development Fund and a $10 million grant from the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility to support Zambia’s participation in the Lobito Corridor development initiative. The Bank Group’s support forms part of a coordinated effort with multilateral and bilateral partners to advance an integrated economic corridor approach.

The Lobito Corridor spans Southern and Central Africa, linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia from the Port of Lobito, to the Copperbelt region. Through this first phase of financing, the Bank Group is helping to establish the critical foundations for a corridor model that connects transport infrastructure with trade facilitation, agriculture, energy, urban development and institutional capacity.

The Lobito Integrated Economic Corridor Development Project is expected to be transformative and catalytic for industrial development and regional trade. By linking Zambia’s Copperbelt and other mineral-rich and agricultural regions to Angola’s Atlantic Port of Lobito, the corridor will provide a more efficient export route, reduce logistics costs, strengthen supply-chain reliability and unlock new investment opportunities across Zambia and the wider Southern African region. The project’s emphasis on women’s empowerment and youth employment will also support inclusive growth, resilience and improved livelihoods.

"The Lobito Corridor is more than a transport investment; it is a platform for regional integration, industrialisation and economic transformation. This approval marks an important step in unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment and jobs across the region,” said Mike Salawou, Director for the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department.

Under the project, which will see the development of a new railway line connecting Zambia to Angola and the Port of Lobito, approximately 550 km of railway infrastructure in Zambia will be constructed and 105 km of the Mwinilunga-Jimbe road will be upgraded. In addition, there will be trade facilitation measures, institutional support and capacity building. The Bank’s financing will be implemented in phases. The current approval represents the first tranche under ADF-16, amounting to approximately $255 million, with additional resource mobilisation envisaged to reach up to $500 million in subsequent phases.

The operation will enhance access to capital through co-financing and private sector participation, create jobs and skills development and deliver climate-resilient infrastructure and value addition through integrated rail and road investments. It also supports the Bank’s Regional Integration Strategic Framework and the Southern Africa Regional Integration Strategy Paper.

The project will help operationalise the Bank’s corridor approach through a bankable, high-impact pilot corridor that can serve as a deal-making platform to crowd in private capital. It builds on the outcomes of the ongoing Bank-financed Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project and supports the operationalisation of the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency.

The project is expected to create approximately 500 permanent jobs and 5,000 temporary jobs across construction, logistics, one-stop border post operations and professional services. At least 300 people will be trained in rail and road construction and maintenance, and 50 people in corridor management, logistics, climate safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, with particular attention to women and youth.

4 August 2026: Malawi marked a milestone in its energy transition on 24 July 2026 with the commissioning of its first grid-forming utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Kanengo Substation in Lilongwe.

The 20MW/ 40MWh project was officially inaugurated by Hon. Dr. Jean Mathanga, Minister of Energy, alongside representatives from the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and other government officials. The ceremony marked the start of commercial operations for Malawi's first utility-scale BESS.

The project is expected to strengthen grid reliability, enhance energy security and support the integration of renewable energy into Malawi's electricity network.

JIVO Energy served as the turnkey Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, delivering the project from engineering and procurement through construction, testing and commissioning.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Jorge Lascas, Chief Commercial Officer at JIVO Energy, said the project demonstrates the company's ability to deliver complex utility- scale energy infrastructure.

"It is a proud moment that proves JIVO Energy's capacity to execute complex, high-impact utility-scale energy projects to international standards using Tier-I equipment."

Lascas also recognised the contribution of the project team.

"JIVO Energy's team dedication and hard work made this project possible. Their passion, resilience, and attention to detail have been remarkable. They met every engineering challenge head-on with unwavering commitment."

The commissioning of the Kanengo BESS marks an important step in Malawi's efforts to strengthen and modernise its electricity network. The successful delivery of the project reflects the strong collaboration between the Government of Malawi, the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), the JIVO Energy team and other stakeholders, whose collective commitment made this landmark achievement possible.

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About JIVO Energy: JIVO Energy has been engaged in renewable energy business in Africa & Asia since 2018 focused on Project Development, EPC, O&M, and investing in renewable energy projects, including provision of technical services related to renewable energy to several clients.

In addition, JIVO Energy provides Technical Feasibility, EPC and O&M services related to renewable energy to project developers and investors in Europe.

JIVO Energy currently operates in 15+ countries in Africa across East, West, and Southern Africa, with offices & teams in India, UAE, Portugal, Mauritius, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde.

JIVO Energy has now successfully implemented projects in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi, Cape Verde, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Zambia.

As of today, JIVO Energy has constructed (or has under construction) more than 100MWp of Solar PV and more than 60MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with another 200MWp+ of Solar PV and 150MWh+ of Battery Energy Storage Systems under development across 12 countries in Africa.

4 August 2026: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a grant of US$1 million to Togo to support victims of the humanitarian crisis affecting the Savanes Region in the north of the country.

Since 2022, the deteriorating security situation in the Central Sahel has led to increasing population movements towards the Gulf of Guinea countries. In Togo, the Savanes Region is now hosting more than 55,000 refugees and nearly 16,000 internally displaced persons, while host communities are facing growing pressure on social services, economic resources and basic infrastructure. More than 1.9 million people are directly or indirectly affected by the consequences of this crisis.

The project will be implemented over a 12-month period by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with the Togolese authorities. The project seeks to respond to the humanitarian emergency in the Savanes Region, while strengthening the resilience of displaced populations and host communities.

The funding will provide rapid and inclusive emergency assistance to approximately 7,000 vulnerable people, including refugees and members of host communities. The project will support the registration and documentation of 5,000 new arrivals, enabling them to access essential services and protection. It will also provide 1,000 households with shelter rehabilitation kits and essential household items.

“In the face of the growing scale of forced displacement in northern Togo, this intervention will help address urgent humanitarian needs while strengthening the resilience of affected communities. The African Development Bank remains committed to supporting the Government of Togo in protecting the most vulnerable populations and preserving social cohesion in this strategic region of the country,” said Pascal Yembiline, the African Development Bank's Country Manager for Togo.

The intervention will pay particular attention to women and girls, who are among the groups most severely affected by forced displacement. The project includes activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, as well as initiatives to strengthen women's economic empowerment through the creation and reinforcement of women's cooperatives.

“This operation is part of the African Development Bank Group's efforts to address fragility, build resilience and support stability in the Gulf of Guinea countries affected by the spillover effects of regional crises,” said Martha Phiri, Director of the Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department.

“Beyond emergency assistance, this operation will help strengthen the long-term resilience of affected populations and host communities, while supporting the efforts of the Togolese authorities to manage the growing influx of refugees and internally displaced persons,” Phiri said.

3 August 2026: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a grant of $18.8 million to the Government of Ghana for the implementation of the Regional West Africa Resilient Rice Value Chains (REWARD) Project.

The project aims to boost domestic rice production, strengthen food security, and create jobs across the agricultural value chain. It will support efforts to increase rice productivity, improve market systems, and reduce Ghana’s dependence on rice imports, while enhancing the competitiveness of locally produced rice.

Agriculture remains central to Ghana’s economy, supporting livelihoods and contributing significantly to food security. However, domestic rice production has not kept pace with rising demand, leaving the country to rely on imports and exposed to global price volatility.

The REWARD project seeks to address these challenges through investments in climate-resilient rice production systems, improved access to quality inputs and mechanization, and enhanced irrigation and land development in key production areas.

The initiative will also support the modernisation of rice processing facilities, strengthen market linkages, and promote greater private sector participation across the rice value chain.

Implementation will focus on selected districts within Ghana’s Northern Savannah Ecological Zone, an area with significant agricultural potential where productivity remains constrained by climate risks, inadequate infrastructure, and weak market integration.

“This project will help strengthen Ghana’s rice value chain by increasing productivity, improving market access, and supporting agribusiness development,” said Halima Hashi Country Manager, Ghana Country Office, African Development Bank Group. "By investing in climate-resilient agriculture, the initiative will contribute to food security, job creation, and more inclusive economic growth.”

The REWARD project aligns with Ghana’s national development priorities, including its agricultural transformation and food security agenda under the Feed Ghana Programme. It also supports the African Development Bank’s strategic priorities of climate-resilient agriculture, private sector development, and inclusive growth, while contributing to broader regional efforts to strengthen food systems and resilience across West Africa.

29 July 2026: The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $2 million reimbursable grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to support the development of two renewable power mini-grids in Ethiopia under the Distributed Renewable Energy and Agriculture Modalities (DREAM) programme.

Approved on 17 July, this financing forms part of the $8 million programmatic financing envelope for DREAM approved in May 2024. It will support the Lelicho and Murche mini-grid sub-projects, developed by RVE.SOL ETH Energy Generation Solutions PLC, and will contribute up to 50% of mini-grid project capital expenditure.

DREAM is a first-of-its-kind programme that addresses the water-energy-food nexus by unlocking a commercially viable rural electrification model that combines renewable energy mini-grids with productive-use agricultural demand. Through its innovative ABC model—Anchor loads, Business demand and Community connections—the programme improves project economics, strengthens revenue certainty, and creates a scalable pathway for private-sector investment in underserved rural markets.

“Water, energy and food security are deeply interconnected and fundamental to Ethiopia’s sustainable development,” said Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy. “Through DREAM, Ethiopia is pioneering an integrated approach that combines renewable energy access with irrigation and agricultural productivity. We are pleased to partner with the African Development Bank and other stakeholders to advance this innovative initiative and ensure the DREAM becomes a reality.”

“DREAM demonstrates how innovative partnerships and catalytic concessional finance can unlock private-sector investment in underserved markets,” said Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank. He described the project as a scalable model that combines energy access, agricultural productivity and climate resilience, ensuring that energy access serves as a driver of jobs, livelihoods and inclusive economic growth.

Carol Koech, Vice President for Africa at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, said: “DREAM is the kind of integrated solution needed to accelerate sustainable rural development. When renewable energy is paired with irrigation, market access and financial tools, it powers opportunity, strengthens livelihoods and helps infrastructure become economically viable for rural communities. We are pleased to partner with AfDB and the Government of Ethiopia to help demonstrate a model that can be scaled across the continent.”

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About SEFA: The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa is a multi-donor special fund providing catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments to remove market barriers, build a more robust pipeline of projects and improve the risk-return profile of individual investments. Its overarching goal is to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, in line with Mission 300 and Sustainable Development Goal 7.

27 July 2026: The Green Mobility Financing Facility for Africa (GMFA), an African Development Bank-led initiative, is set to scale up its operations following a $13.46 million funding approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on 18 June 2026. GMFA catalyses private investment in green mobility systems through blended finance and credit enhancement instruments, including concessional debt and senior debt, complemented by technical assistance. The newly approved package combines a $12.46 million concessional loan with a $1 million technical assistance grant to support the development of efficient, low-emission public transport systems and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across Africa.

Africa's urban population is expected to double by 2050, increasing demand for public transport and last-mile mobility solutions while intensifying challenges related to air pollution, congestion and climate change. Yet investment in electric mobility remains fragmented and largely confined to pilot initiatives, hindered by high upfront costs, perceived technology risks, limited access to long-term financing and insufficient market readiness.

The newly approved GEF funding will support the operationalisation of the facility and help unlock larger pools of public and private capital for sustainable transport investments. The facility will support a range of green mobility technologies, including electric buses, electric two- and three-wheelers, renewable-energy-powered charging infrastructure, battery swapping stations and electric vehicle manufacturing.

The African Development Bank unveiled the Green Mobility Financing Facility for Africa during the 2026 Global Environment Facility Integrated Programs Forum, held in Nairobi in mid-April, showcasing it as a practical example of how blended finance can help unlock private sector investment for climate action. “Rapid urbanisation will double Africa’s urban population by 2050, increasing demand for public transport and climate pressures,” African Development Bank Group Climate Finance Expert Komal Hassamal said during the Forum.

“E-mobility remains fragmented and pilot-based, constrained by high upfront costs, risk perceptions and limited long-term financing. What is needed is structured blended finance to scale private investment, alongside policy and market readiness support from the GEF and partners.”

Building on the GEF's catalytic support, the African Development Bank is mobilising additional resources from its own financing windows and development partners to make an investment of at least $169 scale investment in sustainable transport solutions across Africa. The programme is also being supported through partnerships with several international climate and development finance mechanisms, including KOAFEC, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, and the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance . These resources will help strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks, prepare projects, develop business models and build the pipeline required for future investments.

23 July 2026: Ghana is on track to complete 13 of 16 priority reforms under its National Energy Compact, building momentum to mobilise a US$4.4 billion energy investment pipeline and expand electricity access from 89.1% today to 99% by 2030.

A two-day Compact Implementation Support Workshop brought together more than 70 representatives of government, development finance institutions, the private sector and civil society in Accra on 22-23 July to review progress and agree on actions to accelerate delivery of Ghana's National Energy Compact under Mission 300.

Led by the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group, Mission 300 aims to connect an additional 300 million people across Africa to electricity by 2030.

The workshop was facilitated by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and supported by the African Development Bank's Africa Energy Sector Technical Assistance Program (AESTAP). Participants validated a Ghana-owned roadmap to accelerate reforms, mobilise investment and expand electricity access.

During its first year of implementation, Ghana has completed eight mini-grids with 35 more under construction and continues to expand regional electricity trade through the West African Power Pool. The country has also completed around 60% of Compact actions and remains on track to deliver 13 of its 16 priority reforms. The remaining reforms face administrative and financing-related delays, including parliamentary approvals, budget allocations and procurement processes, which the Government has committed to address.

Ghana’s electrification pathway combines grid intensification, mini-grid deployment, solar home systems, distributed renewable energy and targeted last-mile electrification investments across underserved communities.

Participants reviewed a US$4.4 billion pipeline of energy investments, of which US$2.6 billion is expected from the private sector. The pipeline includes the Last-Mile Rural Electrification Programme, regional interconnections with Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso, major transmission upgrades, utility-scale solar development, mini-grids, and distributed renewable energy and clean cooking initiatives.

“To achieve our energy targets, we as a government are pursuing public-private partnership financing models.The National Compact has an investment pipeline of US$4.4 billion, including US$2.6 billion expected from the private sector,” said Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition. “The Government remains fully committed to removing administrative bottlenecks, strengthening coordination and working with all partners to translate the commitments in the National Energy Compact into projects that deliver tangible results to our citizens.”

“Ghana has demonstrated strong leadership in implementing its National Energy Compact. Progress during the first year has been very encouraging,” said Wale Shonibare, Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulations at the African Development Bank Group. “This workshop is focused on ensuring that reforms translate into investment, projects and electricity connections for the people of Ghana. The African Development Bank remains committed to working with the Government and its partners to accelerate implementation of the Compact under Mission 300.”

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition will continue engagement on counterpart funding and parliamentary approvals. The Energy Sector Working Group has been reconstituted under revised terms of reference and implementing agencies have committed to regular reporting to the Compact Delivery and Monitoring Unit. Development partners, civil society organisations and private sector representatives reaffirmed their support for implementation.

The Ghana Compact Implementation Support Document will now be finalised with stakeholder input; priority actions will be assigned to responsible institutions with timelines and escalation procedures. The project pipeline will be refined for investor engagement, and technical assistance priorities will be incorporated into the Mission 300 support programme.

16 July 2026: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (the Bank Group) has approved, on 15 July, a financing package of up to $110 million to support the development of the 300 MW Aysha Wind Project, Ethiopia’s first wind-based Independent Power Producer (IPP) and, once completed, the country’s largest wind power plant.

The project’s estimated cost is $508 million. The Bank Group is providing a loan package that includes up to $80 million from the ADB window, $20 million from the Clean Technology Fund and $10 million from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa. The Bank will also help mobilise an additional debt package of $381.1 million from other development finance institutions.

Developed, owned and operated by AMEA Power, the project entails the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a 300 MW greenfield wind farm near Aysha in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. It will also support construction of a 5-kilometre transmission line and upgrades to the existing Aysha II substation. Under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement, Ethiopian Electric Power will be the sole off-taker and will take ownership of the completed transmission line.

The plant is expected to generate approximately 1,189 Gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, contributing significantly to Ethiopia’s power supply and supporting the achievement of national universal electricity access through clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. The project will also bolster Ethiopia’s energy security by diversifying its generation mix, which is currently 96% dependent on hydropower. This will increase the power system’s resilience against climate-related hydrological variability and make it more reliable overall.

Wale Shonibare, the Bank Group’s Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulations Department, described the project approval as a watershed moment for Ethiopia’s power sector.

“Aysha shows what is possible when governments, development partners and private sponsors work together to solve bankability challenges head-on,” Shonibare said.

“As co-mandated lead arranger alongside International Finance Corporation, we have structured a first-of-its-kind financing package for Ethiopia which combines long-tenor senior debt, concessional finance and pioneering risk mitigation mechanisms creating a replicable template for future power sector investments.”

The plant is expected to deliver substantial climate benefits, averting approximately 1.39 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the 25-year agreement period. It will also create up to 1,525 direct jobs during the construction period and 30 permanent operations jobs alongside an estimated 35,645 indirect supply chain and related jobs arising mainly from the GDP growth generated by the country’s additional electricity capacity.

The project directly supports Ethiopia’s National Electrification Program and the country’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030, as well as its Nationally Determined Contribution and long-term net-zero ambitions, by accelerating private sector-led investment in renewable energy. It also fully aligns with the Mission 300 target of providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.

14 July 2026: Kenya is accelerating efforts to achieve universal energy access by 2030 under its Mission 300 National Energy Compact, which aims to increase electricity access from 75% to 100%, achieve universal access to clean cooking, increase renewable energy capacity from 2.627 MW to 5.952 MW, develop an additional 8,000 km of transmission lines, and mobilise greater private sector investment across the energy sector.

To this end, on 8-9 July 2026, the Government of Kenya, the African Development Bank Group (the Bank Group) convened a two-day Compact Implementation Support Workshop, facilitated by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), marking a significant step in translating Kenya’s Mission 300 National Energy Compact into coordinated, measurable delivery.

Mission 300, a joint initiative of the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group, with the Rockefeller Foundation, SEforALL and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, aims to connect an additional 300 million people to electricity across Africa by 2030. National Energy Compacts and Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units (CDMU) anchor delivery of the initiative at country level.

The workshop brought together Kenya's CDMU and responsible government institutions, development partners and private sector representatives to review reform actions, implementation bottlenecks, financing needs, monitoring arrangements and technical assistance requirements. Participants also reviewed Kenya’s evolving project pipeline and agreed foundations of the country's 12-month workplan.

Supported by the Bank Group’s Africa Energy Sector Technical Assistance Program, the workshop focused on developing Kenya’s Compact Implementation Support Document (CISD) – a country-owned implementation tool that translates compact commitments into priority reforms, clear institutional responsibilities, technical-assistance and financing needs, monitoring arrangements, risk-mitigation measures and a sequenced 12-month implementation workplan.

Isaac Kiva, Secretary for Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya, said:

“Kenya has made significant strides in expanding energy access and through the National Energy Compact we have outlined our commitment towards universal access. Through the Compact Implementation Support Document, we have outlined a sequenced roadmap of reforms, investments, coordination arrangements and monitoring that will translate our National Energy Compact into an implementable plan owned by the Compact Delivery Secretariat that will oversee its operationalisation.”

“The success of Mission 300 will be measured not only by the commitments we make, but by the results we deliver,” said Wale Shonibare, Bank Group Director for Energy Financial Solutions. “This workshop marks an important step in translating Kenya's National Energy Compact into a practical implementation roadmap with clear priorities, responsibilities and partnerships. The African Development Bank is proud to support this process and will continue working with the Government of Kenya and our partners to accelerate reforms, unlock investment and deliver sustainable energy access.”

The workshop also highlighted progress achieved since Kenya launched the Compact in 2025. Key milestones include the launch of transaction advisory services for major hydropower and transmission projects, technical assistance for competitive solar and wind energy auctions and the establishment of Kenya's Country Platform – a national initiative turning development priorities into investable projects – with a dedicated technical team to accelerate implementation.

A key outcome of the workshop included 10 priority reform actions across a range of areas which were identified as the most catalytic measures to accelerate implementation of Kenya's National Energy Compact. These reforms are designed to unlock investment, strengthen the enabling policy and regulatory environment, and fast-track progress towards universal energy access.

The Kenya workshop is the first in a planned series of Mission 300 national workshops that will also take place in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Botswana.

13 July 2026: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a financing package of up to $66 million for the first phase of the 500-megawatt Dandara solar project and a 100MWh battery energy storage system in Qena Governorate, southern Egypt.

The package will support the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a photovoltaic power plant with an integrated battery energy storage system. The Bank Group’s financing comprises $46 million from its ordinary resources and $20 million in concessional funding from the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund (CTF), with additional debt to be mobilised from a consortium of development finance institutions. The total project cost is estimated at more than $290 million.

The Aluminium Company of Egypt (EgyptAlum) will be the sole off-taker under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), supported by a wheeling agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). EgyptAlum is a highly profitable, blue-chip public enterprise listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange since 1997 and is one of Africa’s largest aluminium producers.

The project is expected to be fully operational at the beginning of 2028 and to generate an estimated 1,373 gigawatt-hours of clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity each year.

The battery energy storage system will supply renewable power during peak evening demand while mitigating the variability of solar generation. The project is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately half a million tonnes and create about 2,500 jobs during construction and 23 permanent roles during operation, with a special focus on women and youth employment.

“The project depicts industrial decarbonization at best. It will enable EgyptAlum to safeguard its European aluminum market share while protecting more than 6,000 Egyptian jobs amid the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism which took effect in January 2026,” said Dr Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth. He further noted that the project will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 12.5 million tonnes over its life.

The project is aligned with the Bank Group’s Ten-Year Strategy 2024-2033, its Four Cardinal Points strategic vision, and its Country Strategy Paper for Egypt, which aims to increase and sustain access to sustainable energy sources across Africa by catalysing the mobilisation of commercial capital in the power sector.

“As the largest private corporate PPA in Egypt and the region, Dandara will establish an important benchmark for future private investment in industrial decarbonisation and in commercial and industrial renewable energy,” said Wale Shonibare, Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulation at the African Development Bank.

9 July 2026: Mali’s National Transitional Council (CNT) unanimously adopted a bill authorising the ratification of loan agreements signed on 25 February 2026 between the African Development Bank Group and the Malian government for the partial financing of the Bamako North 225 kV Loop Project. The project, with a total estimated cost of $190 million, aims to strengthen the security and reliability of electricity supply in the capital, Bamako, and surrounding areas.

The adoption of the bill paves the way for implementation of the project, which will modernise Bamako’s electricity transmission and distribution network, connect 10,000 new households and small businesses to the grid, and improve the quality of supply for around 40 industrial units.

The African Development Fund, the concessional lending window of the African Development Bank Group, has approved a loan of $35.27 million for the project, while the Transition Support Facility is providing a loan of $18.99 million. The Climate Investment Funds has granted a $5 million loan and a $6.8 million grant, complemented by a $2.2 million grant from the Green Climate Fund. Together, these resources amount to $68.26 million, or 36.13 percent of the project’s total cost. Co-financing is being provided by the West African Development Bank (27.36 percent), the Islamic Development Bank (32.91 percent) and the Malian government (3.6 percent).

The project addresses major challenges in Mali’s electricity subsector. In 2023, the national electricity access rate was estimated at 55.8 percent, including 86.6 percent in urban areas and 30.4 percent in rural areas. Demand is increasing by about 10 percent annually, while generation capacity remains insufficient and continues to rely heavily on thermal power. The sector also contends with high network losses, dependence on fuel imports, and financial pressures requiring state subsidies.

Specifically, the project provides for the construction of a 225 kV high-voltage power line between the Kodialani and Dialakorobougou substations, the creation of two new substations at Safo and Kénié, and the extension of three existing substations at Kodialani, Kambila and Dialakorobougou. It also includes medium- and low-voltage lines to improve electricity distribution and serve new neighbourhoods in Bamako.

In the long term, these investments will facilitate the transmission of electricity from future supply sources, including the Guinea-Mali interconnection, the Manantali 2 line and the solar power plants planned at Kambila and Safo. They will help expand access to more reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy, while supporting economic activities, particularly agricultural value chains and jobs for young people and women.The official launch of activities is planned for the third quarter of 2026 and once implemented, the project is expected to secure Bamako’s electricity supply, improve service quality for households and businesses, and support the transition to a more resilient energy system.

2 July 2026: The World Bank Board of Directors today approved $265 million to support the Ifahsa Pumped Hydropower Storage Project in Morocco, a major clean energy infrastructure investment in northern Morocco and one of the most significant of its kind on the African continent.

The project will strengthen the reliability and resilience of Morocco’s electricity system by providing flexible storage capacity to support the integration of higher levels of renewable energy generation and will provide Moroccan electricity consumers – including households and businesses – with a more reliable, cleaner supply of electricity.

Located near Chefchaouen, the project will serve as a giant rechargeable battery for the national electricity grid. During periods of high renewable energy production — when the sun is shining, or the wind is blowing — the facility can pump water to an upper reservoir. That water is then released through turbines to generate electricity precisely when it is needed most.

The initiative will create real economic opportunities for Moroccan communities. During construction, the project is expected to generate around 820 direct jobs annually, while the renewable energy capacity it enables will create additional employment opportunities across the energy sector and beyond. Moroccan businesses will also benefit from access to cleaner electricity, strengthening their position in international markets that increasingly demand low-carbon supply chains.

The 300-megawatt facility will enable Morocco to integrate at least 1 gigawatt of additional solar and wind energy into its national grid, helping unlock around $1 billion in private investment. In doing so, it will replace approximately 3 terawatt-hours of electricity currently generated from fossil fuels each year — avoiding an estimated 1.7 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

The World Bank's contribution combines financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), concessional financing from the Clean Technology Fund, and a grant from the Livable Planet Fund. The project is co-financed by the African Development Bank and implemented by the Office National de l'Électricité et de l'Eau potable (ONEE). Together, the co-financing by the two multilateral development banks demonstrates how international partnerships can mobilize funding for large-scale clean energy investments and accelerate the transition to a more resilient, low-carbon energy future.

1 July 2026: The Mulembwe hydroelectric power plant in Burundi, officially inaugurated by Prime Minister of Burundi Nestot Ntahontuye, on 16 June, marks a new milestone in national efforts to strengthen electricity production in Burundi.

The inauguration of the Mulembwe hydroelectric power plant (17 MW), following that of the Jiji power plant (32.5 MW) in June 2025, marks the completion of a major program aimed at achieving energy self-sufficiency and promoting economic development in Burundi. These facilities were designed to meet the country’s growing energy needs while promoting sustainable economic growth.

Located in Burunga Province, in the country’s southwest, these power plants mark a significant milestone in the country’s energy development, with a combined generating capacity of 49.5 megawatts. Together, the two plants will have an annual output of 239 gigawatt-hours and will supply power to 7,000 businesses and 1,700 industrial facilities across the country, as well as 15,000 households in the project area.

The additional energy produced will promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and will also support investment, job creation, and economic growth.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to all partners who contributed to the project’s completion and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing similar initiatives to ensure a sustainable energy future.

“The Jiji and Mulembwe dams represent a major milestone in Burundi’s journey toward emergence. Electricity is a key driver of our country’s industrial development, mining sector, and future railway infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye.

The construction of the Jiji and Mulembwe power plants is the result of close collaboration between the Government of Burundi and its development partners, notably the African Development Bank Group, the European Investment Bank, the European Union and the World Bank Group.

The sites have already created hundreds of local jobs and will continue to generate employment opportunities in the energy sector. The availability of clean energy will certainly open the door to potential private investment opportunities.

Mouna Diawara, the African Development Bank Group’s Country Manager for Burundi, said: “The inauguration of Jiji and Mulembwe marks a transformative moment for Burundi’s energy future. This project is one of the country’s most important energy investments: one that will help nearly double national generation capacity, expand access to affordable renewable power, and create the foundation for private-sector growth, jobs and economic diversification. Today’s achievement reflects the power of partnership, bringing together the Government of Burundi and development partners to deliver a transformative infrastructure that will power opportunity for generations to come.”

European Investment Bank Vice President, Marko Primorac, stressed that: “Clean energy is among EIB Global’s top investment priorities, reflecting Europe’s commitment to delivering cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy to hundreds of millions of people in Africa. The commissioning of the Mulembwe hydropower plant, following that of Jiji, illustrates the tangible impact of these investments on the ground.”

The European Union Ambassador to Burundi, Elisabetta Pietrobon, reiterated: “Jiji-Mulembwe is a model project that almost fully aligns with the priorities we have set under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, by facilitating access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy. We are particularly pleased with the significant role played by European companies and expertise, from the initial feasibility studies through to the commissioning of the infrastructure.”

The World Bank Group Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ndiamé Diop, said: “The commissioning of the Mulembwe hydroelectric power plant marks a major step forward in providing households, businesses, and public services with access to reliable electricity, which is essential for creating jobs and stimulating economic activity. The World Bank Group is proud to support this effort alongside the Government of Burundi, REGIDESO, and all partners. This project is fully aligned with Mission 300, an ambitious regional initiative aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, whose priorities Burundi has adopted through its National Energy Compact.”

• Tanzania, Nigeria and Ethiopia have delivered the highest number of new electricity connections under the Mission 300 initiative.
• The programme has connected more than 50 million people across 40 African countries since July 2023.

29 June 2026: Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ethiopia have emerged as the leading beneficiaries of the World Bank-backed Mission 300 initiative, having connected more than 50 million people to electricity across Africa in less than 3 years.

The findings appear in the latest Mission 300 Progress Report, which tracks electricity connections delivered through World Bank Group-financed projects between July 1, 2023, and April 30, 2026.

The report shows that 85 electricity access projects have delivered new connections across 40 African countries, supplying power to households, businesses, schools and healthcare facilities.

Mission 300 aims to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030 through support from the World Bank Group and other development partners.

Tanzania recorded the highest number of new electricity connections, providing power to 7.5 million people. The country achieved the milestone through its Rural Electrification Expansion Programme, which connected five million people, and the Tanzania Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation Programme, which added another 2.5 million beneficiaries.

Ethiopia ranked second after connecting about 4.67 million people through four electricity access projects. The Ethiopia Electrification Programme accounted for 3.4 million new connections, while the Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project connected 1.1 million people. The Access to Distributed Electricity and Lighting in Ethiopia Project added another 165,000 beneficiaries.

Nigeria ranked third by connecting approximately 4.51 million people to electricity. The Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project accounted for 3.6 million beneficiaries, while the Nigeria Electrification Project connected 619,000 people. The Distribution Sector Recovery Programme added another 292,000 connections.

The report showed that Nigeria’s renewable energy and off-grid programmes delivered most of the country’s new electricity connections, with the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project contributing nearly 80 per cent of the total.

Nigeria’s 4.51 million beneficiaries represent almost one in every 11 new electricity connections delivered under Mission 300 across Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire ranked fourth after connecting approximately 2.9 million people through its Electricity Transmission and Access Project and the National Electricity Digitalisation and Access Operation.

Mozambique connected about 2.67 million people, while Madagascar provided electricity access to approximately 2.65 million people.

Uganda connected 2.5 million people through its Electricity Access Scale-up Project, while Rwanda delivered nearly 2.38 million new connections across three projects.

Kenya connected about two million people through three electricity access programmes, and Malawi added approximately 1.9 million beneficiaries.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said Mission 300 has significantly accelerated the pace of electrification across participating countries. He noted that Tanzania increased its annual electrification rate fivefold under the initiative through stronger financing and policy reforms.

Banga added that Ethiopia expanded electricity access by making grid connections more affordable through targeted reforms. He said the programme is helping countries accelerate electricity access while creating long-term platforms for sustainable development.

According to him, electricity drives economic growth by supporting businesses, healthcare, education and employment opportunities.

Despite the progress, the report estimated that nearly 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, making the continent home to the world’s largest electricity access deficit.

The report also identified eight countries that have yet to record a single electricity connection under Mission 300-supported World Bank operations. They include Angola, Cabo Verde, the Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan.

According to the report, projects in those countries remain in the preparation phase, have not commenced implementation or have yet to produce measurable electricity access outcomes.

Beyond country-specific projects, regional programmes also expanded electricity access.

Projects backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) connected about 6.4 million people across West and Central Africa.

The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project added 227,000 new beneficiaries, while the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project connected another 255,000 people.

In Eastern and Southern Africa, the Regional Infrastructure Finance Facility delivered 2.6 million connections, while the Regional Energy Access Financing Platform added one million beneficiaries.

The report concluded that Mission 300 has made significant progress towards expanding electricity access across Africa but stressed that governments and development partners must accelerate implementation to close the continent’s remaining electricity access gap before 2030.

29 June 2026: The Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) held its General Meeting on 25 June 2026, where Mrs Maud Watelet (Adjuva Partners) was re-elected as President of ARE. Four Board Members were also elected: Mrs Ayu Abdullah (COMET), Mrs Maud Watelet (Adjuva Partners), Mr Pierre Bucaille (MyJouleBox), and Mr Stephane Tromilin (Schneider Electric).

ARE also extends its gratitude to outgoing Board Member Gillian-Alexandre Huart (ENGIE Energy Access) for his valuable contributions to the organisation’s mission.

Mrs Maud Watelet, the re-elected President, serves as Founder and Managing Director of Adjuva Partners, an advisory firm specialising in investment strategy, due diligence and valuation. Previously, she served as Senior Investment Officer at EDFI MC – ElectriFI, where she originated, structured and managed investments in the energy access sector, principally across Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. Prior to this, she worked as an investment advisor for family offices and as Executive Director of Korys Capital, an alternative fund investing in renewable energy and cleantech companies. She also serves as a Board Member for DRE companies and venture capital funds.

On her re-election, Ms Maud Watelet commented: “I am honoured by the trust our members have placed in me for a second term. Building on the momentum of the past year, from the record-breaking EAIF 2026 in Nairobi to the launch of our expanded mandate, the Board and I are committed to delivering concrete, lasting impact. Over the next two years, we will strengthen ARE’s advocacy voice, deepen our service to members across all technologies and regions, and ensure the Association remains a powerful force for integrated renewable electrification in emerging markets.”

Continuing their mandates on the ARE Board are Mrs Camille André-Bataille (ANKA), Mr Christopher Pye (ComAp), Mrs Lynne Wesonga (Decla Capital), Mrs Hélène Demaegdt (Gaia Impact), Mrs Sandra Liz Hon (H2 Energy Sdn Bhd), and Mr Iain Munro (Ryse Energy).

In 2025, ARE’s collective voice has grown clearer and more influential — carrying the case for renewable electrification in emerging markets onto European, African and Asian stages, and into conversations that have historically been shaped by other actors. Throughout the year, ARE has continued to affirm its role as a trusted convener: bridging on-the-ground realities with high-level policy dialogue, and connecting the local to the global and back again.

Drawing on the collective expertise of ARE Members, the commitment of the ARE President, Board and Team, and the continued support of international institutions and governments, ARE is well positioned to deliver impact at greater scale and with lasting effect under its expanded mission.

ARE’s expanded mission for 2026 underscores a commitment to accelerating renewable electrification across the full energy landscape—from energy access and productive use to commercial and industrial applications, as well as modern grid and utility integration—while continuing to serve its members with a broader, future-focused vision.

On the occasion of the election of the new ARE Board, Mr David Lecoque, CEO of ARE, said: “This renewal of our dynamic Board reflects both the strength of our community and the ambition that drives ARE. With Mrs Watelet’s continued leadership and the energy of our new and returning Board Members, ARE enters this next chapter with a shared sense of purpose — and a clear mandate: to make our voice count where it matters most, while expanding the business avenues available to our Members to drive growth and impact at scale. The DRE sector is at a turning point, and we have both the talent and the determination to make our voice count where it matters most.”

29 June 2026: The Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South, a collaborative platform dedicated to helping emerging economies build secure, local mineral supply chains that drive domestic industrialization, officially handed over a landmark report to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, OON, during the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026).

The report charts a direct line from Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions to its mineral wealth. It maps national demand for solar PV, energy storage and electric vehicles. The report also assesses current supply and trade positions, identifies the gaps and sets out strategic pathways to close them.

The report’s central finding is clear: Nigeria’s endowment of lithium, copper and bauxite aligns precisely with the minerals needed to accelerate the country’s green energy transition.

Receiving the report, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake noted: “By mapping domestic demand, supply and trade patterns, this report provides mineral-specific policy pathways to leverage Nigeria’s resources for our own green industrialisation.”

The Council, hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Global South Centre for Clean Transportation, in partnership with the Ministry, are committing to the next phase. This includes a mineral-to-manufacturing localization roadmap, to retain more value in-country. Greater South-South investment partnerships, to connect Nigeria with manufacturers and investors across the Global South, and to work with local stakeholders to advance green industrialization projects, will be pursued.

The handover at AFNIS 2026 closes a loop that began at AFNIS 2024. Since then, the Council, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and Core International have collaborated to deliver the report. The ceremony took place at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa in Abuja.