1 August 2025: The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) in Ethiopia Program-for-Results (PforR), an initiative to bring clean and reliable electricity to nearly six million people in Ethiopia. The program is supported by a $400 million credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA)* and a $24 million grant from the Government of Denmark.

The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has taken significant steps to expand electricity access through substantial investments in power generation, grid and off-grid solutions, and the launch of ambitious national programs. While these initiatives are noteworthy, further progress is needed to fully meet the country’s growing needs.

Preliminary findings from the 2025 World Bank Multi-Tier Framework Survey indicate that Ethiopia’s Tier 1+ access rate stands at 44 percent. This means that close to 71 million people, primarily in rural and peri-urban areas, are still living without a sufficient level of access to this essential service. Consequently, millions of families continue to rely on polluting fuels for lighting and cooking, children struggle to study after dark, health clinics operate without reliable power, and economic opportunities remain limited, perpetuating cycles of poverty and constraining social and economic development across the country.

“The ASCENT Ethiopia program reflects our dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s pursuit of universal energy access. By prioritizing underserved and low-income communities and making energy accessible and affordable, we are enabling nearly six million additional people to gain electricity connections, improving essential services, and supporting Ethiopia’s climate and development goals,” said Maryam Salim, World Bank Division Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Building on the achievements of existing programs including Ethiopia Electrification Program (ELEAP) and the Access to Distributed Electricity and Lighting in Ethiopia (ADELE), the ASCENT Ethiopia program aims to expand on-grid electrification by connecting new households, non-residential customers, and towns near the medium-voltage network over the next five years. The program will also enhance policies and institutional frameworks to promote equitable access, including revisions to the National Electrification Program and grid connection policies; improve utility performance through digitalization and enhanced customer service; and strengthen institutional capacity in areas such as fiduciary management, environmental and social risk management, citizen engagement, and gender inclusion, thereby supporting the government in establishing robust systems and frameworks for sustainable energy access.

The strong collaboration with Denmark will expand and promote inclusive energy access for low-income groups, women, and other underserved communities in Ethiopia, by reducing connection costs for 480,000 new customers. As the program evolves, ASCENT Ethiopia will leverage additional partnerships and incentivize the private sector to broaden affordable electricity access, secure additional funding, and promote innovation. Together, these efforts are expected to accelerate progress toward universal access, ensuring that no one is left behind in Ethiopia’s energy future.

The implementation of ASCENT Ethiopia will be led by the Ministry of Water and Energy in collaboration with the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU). The project adopts the Program-for-Results (PforR) approach, which ties funding directly to tangible, measurable outcomes. This people-centered strategy encourages all stakeholders to prioritize meaningful change, while promoting transparency, and accountability. The program is also aligned with Mission 300, the joint World Bank Group and African Development Bank initiative which aims to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. By aligning with this ambitious goal, ASCENT ensures that progress achieved in Ethiopia will not only benefit local communities but will also contribute to the broader vision of universal energy access across the continent.

29 July 2025: The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a loan of $144.27 million to Niger forthe first phase of a program that will reform energy sector laws and address the country’s critical power shortage.

Niger’s Energy Sector Governance and Competitiveness Support Program is expected to address governance challenges by strengthening public financial management systems, particularly tax revenue mobilization and tax revenue control system. It will also support the clearance of domestic arrears, public-private dialogue, and the adoption of an industrial and commercial policy to bolster support for Nigerien businesses.

“This program represents our commitment to supporting Niger’s economic recovery and energy independence,” said African Development Bank Director General for West Africa Lamin Barrow. “By improving access to energy and strengthening governance frameworks, we are helping to lay the foundations for sustainable growth that will benefit all Nigeriens, particularly the most vulnerable populations.”

By improving access to energy and strengthening governance frameworks, we are helping to lay the foundations for sustainable growth that will benefit all Nigeriens.

The Bank’s support will underpin ambitious energy objectives, including increasing national electricity access from 22.5% to 30% by 2026 while boosting manufacturing’s contribution to GDP from 2.5% to 3.8%. A key component focuses on the renewable energy capacity development framework and includes plans to generate 240 MW of solar energy by 2030, with 50 MW coming onstream before December 2026.

The program particularly emphasizes social inclusion, with specific measures to support internally displaced persons, women, and youth. With more than 507,000 internally displaced persons nationwide due to security challenges in the Sahel region, targeted interventions will ensure that vulnerable populations benefit from improved economic opportunities.

The Nigerien economy has shown remarkable resilience despite challenges, with GDP growth climbing to 8.8% in 2024, and oil production expected to increase from 20,000 to 90,000 barrels per day by 2026. Still, only 22.5% of the population enjoy access to electricity, one of the lowest rates in West Africa. In rural areas, where 80% of Nigeriens live, only 4.5% have access to electricity, forcing families to rely on biomass for 94% for their energy needs.

Niger’s strategic energy compact, formally adopted by decree, provides the framework to attract $527 million in private sector investment by 2030. The project will establish high-level coordination mechanisms and update national energy policies to create an enabling environment for private participation in mini-grid developments crucial for rural electrification.

The program positions Niger to capitalize on its vast renewable energy potential while building governance systems that support inclusive and sustainable development.

28 July 2025: Sun King, the world’s largest off-grid solar energy company, has closed a landmark $156 million (KES 20.1 billion) securitisation to scale affordable solar across Kenya. The local currency deal will enable an estimated 1.4 million low-income households and businesses to access electricity — often for the first time — and shift away from costly, polluting fuels like kerosene and diesel.

This is Sun King’s second and largest Kenyan-Shilling-denominated securitisation. The deal is the largest securitisation ever completed in Sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa. Arranged and structured by Citi with Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd (part of the Standard Bank Group) acting as the placement agent, the securitisation is backed by five international and local commercial banks and three development finance institutions. It builds on the company’s award-winning $130 million securitisation completed in 2023.

Sun King’s pay-as-you-go solar model allows households to access solar products by making small, flexible payments starting from as little as $0.19 (KES 25) per day through mobile money. To date, Sun King has extended $1.3 billion in solar loans to almost 10 million individual customers across Africa. The securitisation enables Sun King to raise long-term local currency debt by converting future customer repayments for financed solar products into investable assets.

“Millions of off-grid households have switched to solar thanks to small ‘pay-as-you-go’ loans. This deal signals a major turning point for green energy finance in Africa,” said Anish Thakkar, Co-Founder of Sun King. “It shows that African commercial banks believe in the power of pay-as-you-go solar and are ready to back it with serious capital. Return-seeking, local capital in local currency is essential to unlocking the scale and speed needed to achieve universal energy access.”

The transaction includes:

• A senior tranche funded by five commercial banks: ABSA, Citi, The Co-operative Bank of Kenya, KCB Bank Kenya Limited, and Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd; and
• A mezzanine tranche provided by development finance institutions: British International Investment, the Dutch development bank FMO, and Norfund, the Norwegian Investment Fund for developing countries.

Both senior and mezzanine tranches have been privately rated by a credit ratings agency. The funds are raised under Sun King’s Sustainable Financing Framework, which received a Second Party Opinion (SPO) from Moody’s Investor Relations, earning a Very Good (SQS2) score. The securitisation is a private offer in line with Kenya’s capital market regulations.

To date, an estimated 30% of Kenyan homes have access to Sun King solar. With this new funding, solar access is expected to grow significantly. The new securitisation is expected to deliver loans that enable the purchase of approximately 1.4 million solar products and smartphones in Kenya. Together with Sun King’s 2023 securitisation, the two transactions will help deliver an estimated 3.7 million solar products and smartphones.

This second securitisation is part of Sun King’s broader effort to raise local currency capital across Africa. So far, Sun King has raised $450 million across Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. The securitisation shows how appropriate financial tools can mobilise local private capital to solve local challenges, such as energy access and the just transition.

“This securitisation demonstrates the effectiveness of pay-as-you-go business models to reach underserved communities at scale and the role of development finance institutions to mobilise private capital,” said Jorge Rubio Nava, Citi’s Global Head of Social Finance. “Over the last few years, we’ve successfully partnered with Sun King to develop innovative financial tools that bring sustainable and affordable energy solutions to millions of households across Kenya and beyond.”

The IEA reports that Kenya is one of the few Sub-Saharan African countries on track for near-universal electricity access by 2030, with standalone, distributed rooftop solar playing a central role. The transaction supports the goals of Mission 300 — the World Bank- and African Development Bank-led initiative to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030 — which recognises that mobilising local capital is critical to achieving that target. This securitisation is a key example of how return-seeking local finance can help scale clean energy access sustainably.

28 July 2025: The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million International Development Association (IDA)* grant for the 13th phase of the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Program which is set to provide reliable and sustainable energy services to more than one million beneficiaries in Zambia within the next five years.

The ASCENT Zambia project not only focuses on connecting Zambians living in remote and underserved communities, it also aims to supply reliable and affordable power to businesses and industries in Zambia which will in turn support economic growth and job creation. It will also scale up successful pilot projects, invest in new technologies, and build the capacity of local communities to manage and maintain energy infrastructure.

“The ASCENT Zambia project is a testament of the World Bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy access for all Zambians in line with the Zambia National Energy Compact, under the Mission 300 Initiative,” said Yadviga Viktorivna Semikolenova, World Bank Practice Manager for Energy for Eastern and Southern Africa. “We are excited to embark on this new phase and look forward to the positive impact it will have on local communities.”

The ASCENT Program employs a multi-phase approach to support countries across Eastern and Southern Africa to reach the Mission 300 target which aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. The ASCENT Zambia project is the thirteenth phase in the region-wide program.

“Partnerships are key to the success of the ASCENT Zambia project,” said Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia. “We are grateful for the support of all partners and look forward to working together to help foster economic growth in Zambia through the provision of reliable energy to businesses and industries.”

2 July 2025: d.light, a global leader in providing affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions, is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its Brighter Life by d.light receivables financing facility. The expanded facility has the capacity to purchase over USD $300 million of receivables, enabling d.light to further its mission of delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to underserved communities across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

With this expanded facility, d.light has now closed securitized financing with a total combined purchasing value of USD$842 million across five separate facilities since 2020.

d.light will use the facility to scale up its PayGo consumer finance offering to make solar-powered products available to more low-income households and communities without access to electricity. The facility is multi-currency and will enable access to reliable, renewable energy for an estimated ten million people across the three countries over the next two years.

Commenting on the news, d.light CEO Nedjip Tozun said, “The expansion of BLd marks a pivotal moment in our journey to provide affordable solar energy to millions. Securitization has been a crucial innovation that has allowed us to scale our consumer financing offering, unlocking affordability and enabling us to reach more households, improve livelihoods, and contribute to a sustainable future.”

d.light has a proven track record of utilizing securitized finance to support consumer financing for its solar-powered household products in sub-Saharan Africa. It has set up a total of five facilities since 2020 covering Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. The combined purchasing value of these existing facilities plus the expanded new facility is USD$842 million.

In February 2024, d.light announced that its USD$110 million securitization facility, Brighter Life Kenya 1 Limited (BLK1) successfully repaid its entire senior debt in full and ahead of schedule from internally generated cash flows – the first facility in the off-grid solar sector to do so.

The funding to expand BLd was provided by Mirova and the facility was arranged by African Frontier Capital.

“Mirova is proud to continue supporting d.light in their mission to provide clean energy for all. This expansion of Bld, provided through our investment strategy dedicated to energy transition in emerging markets, highlights the effectiveness of securitization vehicles in scaling financing for solar home systems, enabling us to reach more households and contribute to a sustainable future,” said Rim Azirar, Deputy Head of Emerging Markets Energy Transition at Mirova.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with d.light and support their efforts in expanding energy access,” said Eric De Moudt, CEO of African Frontier Capital. “The success of BLd demonstrates the effectiveness of innovative financing models in driving social impact.”

26 June 2025: A team of students from Gulu University, Uganda has won the gold award in the 2025 Efficiency for Access Design Challenge for their innovative hydrogel solar evaporator design, a sustainable solution that purifies contaminated water using solar energy and hydrogel materials. Designed for use in Ugandan refugee camps, the system is eco-friendly and low-cost, helping improve access to clean water and electricity.

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is a global competition that invites teams of university students to design affordable and energy efficient appliances and technologies that can help accelerate energy access for underserved communities in low-income countries. Now in its sixth year, the Challenge has engaged over 700 students from 40 universities across 17 countries, generating more than 115 project ideas that contribute to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.

This year’s silver awards were presented to Makerere University, Uganda, for their eco- solar cassava flash dryer, and Aston University, United Kingdom, for their solar-powered sanitary pad vending machine. Bronze awards went to another team from Makerere University, Uganda, for a smart solar-powered poultry feeding system; Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, for a solar-powered irrigation system; University of Rwanda, for a solar-powered fishpond aerator; and Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, India, for a smart irrigation and fertiliser system. An additional team from the University of Rwanda won the People’s Award for their solar-powered tea leaf harvester.

Jolanda van Ginkel, Head of Portfolio, IKEA Foundation, said: “The ingenuity and commitment shown by these young innovators is exactly what the world needs to accelerate a just energy transition. By focusing on decentralised renewable energy, grid decarbonisation, and productive use of renewables, their solutions empower communities to thrive. At the IKEA Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that increase energy efficiency and affordability—because access to renewable energy is not just a climate solution, it’s a pathway to opportunity and resilience.”

Throughout the year, the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge team ran webinars, networking and other interactive events for students, which aimed to enhance their understanding of the off-grid appliance sector. Student teams were also paired with industry mentors who provided them with structured guidance to create their projects.

The Challenge is delivered by Energy Saving Trust, co-Secretariat of Efficiency for Access, in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders UK, and is funded by UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform and the IKEA Foundation.

Following the Grand Final on Thursday 26 June 2025, the Challenge will enter a strategic pause to assess its future direction and ensure alignment with the evolving needs of the energy access sector. Having successfully developed globally responsible design skills in university students around the world, the delivery team is now focused on enhancing its impact by more closely reflecting workforce demands in the off-grid appliance sector.

Emilie Carmichael, Head of International, Energy Saving Trust, commented: “As we mark six years of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, it’s inspiring to see how student-led innovation continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy access. Each year, we’ve seen young people bring forward practical, inclusive solutions that respond to real needs in underserved communities. We’re proud of the Challenge’s achievements– and hopeful about the continued impact of the students and ideas it has helped to nurture.”

To provide sustainable energy for all, we urgently need to enhance the efficiency and affordability of solar-powered appliances. Globally, 750 million people live without electricity, and many more lack reliable access. Solar-powered appliances can help improve lives and livelihoods and help vulnerable communities build climate resilience. However, less than 2% of the current demand is being met. Rapid innovation and investment are essential to close this gap and achieve universal energy access by 2030.

26 June 2025: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in accelerating the deployment of sustainable minigrids across Africa. The MoU was signed on 19 June during the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) held in Cape Town, South Africa.

The partnership supports the Africa Minigrid Program (AMP), a USD 50 million technical assistance initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented together with RMI and the African Development Bank, designed to increase investment in solar-battery minigrids and expand energy access in underserved communities.

Under this partnership, UNDP and AMDA will work together across five key areas: technical assistance, capacity building, data and digital innovation, policy advocacy, and resource mobilization. By combining UNDP’s global reach and policy expertise with AMDA’s deep technical knowledge and private sector network, the partnership aims to accelerate the scale-up of minigrid solutions and improve enabling conditions for both developers and governments.

“We know that minigrids are one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions for rural electrification in Africa. But to scale, we must bridge the gap between ambition and bankability,” said Mateo Salomon, Head of Climate Change Mitigation at UNDP. “This partnership with AMDA helps us do exactly that— aligning the development community, government and private sector to turn potential into reality.”

“AMDA is pleased to formalize this collaboration with UNDP, a critical partner in advancing sustainable development across the continent. This MoU underscores our shared commitment to scaling minigrid deployment through data-driven policy advocacy, catalytic financing, and capacity building,” said Olamide Niyi-Afuye, Chief Executive Officer of AMDA. “By aligning our strengths, we aim to create a more enabling ecosystem for minigrid developers and accelerate progress toward universal energy access in Africa.”

This agreement marks a major step in advancing energy access by unlocking the potential of minigrids to drive inclusive and resilient development across Africa. According to the third edition of the Benchmarking Africa’s Minigrids report by AMDA, the African minigrid market is expanding, driving up electrification rates and spurring job creation. However, regulatory bottlenecks, funding issues and supply chain problems are hindering the pace of development and driving up costs. The new report calls for governments, investors, and industry stakeholders to intensify efforts to scale minigrids for Africa’s energy future through data-driven insights.

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About UNDP: UNDP works in over 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP supports governments in strengthening institutional capacities, creating enabling regulatory environments, and mobilizing finance to expand access to sustainable energy and other essential services. By focusing on the conditions necessary to translate policy ambition into tangible results, UNDP helps countries accelerate their transitions toward a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.

About AMDA: The Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) is an industry association formed by private sector minigrid developers and development partners dedicated to improving the political and financial environments for minigrid companies in Africa. AMDA serves as the unified voice for minigrid developers, working to accelerate their path to scale and sustainability in achieving universal access to sustainable, reliable, affordable, and modern energy across the continent. Currently, AMDA has over 56 member companies operating in 24 African countries.

12 June 2025: The Nordic Development Fund (NDF) has approved funding to support the Rural Energy Access Lab (REAL) with a Booster Grant of EUR 500,000 to develop rural pre-grid electrification programmes in 10 African countries.

This grant contributes to the REAL multi-donor facility and will finance preparation activities aimed at scaling sustainable pre-grid electrification projects designed to provide universal energy access. It will support the REAL initiative to launch, develop, seed, scale, and operate these programmes.

As part of its preparation activities, REAL project partners launched pilot projects in Malawi, Senegal, and Sierra Leone to rigorously test key elements of the Energy-as-a-Service model.

Additionally, REAL project partners are actively engaging with government officials in each country to design and prepare for scaling up the pilots and, ultimately, to launch nationwide programmes once the REAL Facility is operational.

The REAL Facility will serve as an umbrella fund to raise capital for country-level facilities. These will co-finance and support asset and operational companies responsible for the management and operation of 10 scalable pre-grid electrification programmes.

The NDF grant will be allocated to three key areas of the preparation activities:

• Pilots and in-country project development
• Setting up the REAL Facility
• Developing REAL activity and stakeholder engagement

In addition to providing financial support, NDF will actively collaborate with REAL, drawing on its extensive experience in launching and scaling facilities. This includes sharing technical insights and lessons learned to strengthen the capacity of the facility and ensure effective implementation.

By 2030, REAL aims to catalyse pre-grid electrification projects in 10 hard-to-reach countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, deploying Tier 1 solar systems to 50 million people who will benefit from access to energy-as-a-service.

“REAL’s pioneering approach to rural pre-grid electrification brings together donors, governments, funders, manufacturers, and local operators in a new model that has the potential to achieve sustainable, universal energy access. We thank the NDF for their commitment to fund REAL’s preparatory work to scale our initiative, help us accelerate progress toward this urgent goal, and ensure no one is left behind,” says John Keane, REAL Founding Partner and CEO of SolarAid.

“Access to reliable energy is a fundamental driver for development and climate solutions. Yet, in many rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, it remains out of reach. We’re proud to support REAL with a Booster Grant, supporting their environmentally sustainable model and access to energy through locally-led, innovative solutions. We look forward to seeing the meaningful impact REAL will create in the regions where these activities are needed the most,” says Satu Santala, NDF Managing Director.

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About NDF: The Nordic Development Fund (NDF) is the joint Nordic international finance institution of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. NDF focuses on the nexus between climate change and development in lower-income countries and countries in fragile situations. Since the introduction of the climate mandate in 2009, NDF has built a track record of adding value by financing climate mitigation and adaptation projects in close interaction with its extensive network of strategic partners.

About REAL: The Rural Energy Access Lab (REAL) is an independent not-for-profit initiative launched by SolarAid in collaboration with Easy Solar and Moon. REAL works with governments in sub-Saharan Africa to develop public-private partnerships and scale pre-grid electrification programmes that rapidly connect hard-to-reach households to sustainable energy.

6 June 2025: Solar Panda Corporation, a Canadian-solar energy company providing access to energy for off-grid communities in Africa, today announced the acquisition of VITALITE Zambia Limited, a leading off-grid solar provider in Zambia. This move marks a major milestone in Solar Panda’s pan-African growth strategy and enhances its position as a regional leader in clean energy access.

The acquisition expands Solar Panda’s operational footprint into Southern Africa, adding over 100,000 customers to its portfolio and strengthening its vertically integrated supply chain. With VITALITE’s established presence and experienced team, the combined entity is poised to scale rapidly in Zambia. VITALITE Group Limited (Malawi) is not part of this transaction and will continue to operate independently.

“This acquisition represents a strategic leap forward for Solar Panda,” said Andy Keith, Founder & CEO of Solar Panda. “VITALITE brings a strong brand, an experienced local team, and a deep understanding of the Zambian market. By joining forces, we will build upon the foundation that VITALITE has created, introduce Solar Panda’s exceptional products and rapidly grow operations to accelerate our shared mission to deliver clean, affordable energy to more Zambian households.”

VITALITE was the first company to introduce PAYGO solar home systems in Zambia. Since 2013, it has built a strong customer-focused operational base committed to increasing rural electrification through solar energy.

“This is an exciting new chapter for VITALITE Zambia,” said Dr. John Fay, VITALITE Zambia Board Chair. “Partnering with Solar Panda provides the capital, infrastructure, products and strategic support we need to reach scale faster and deepen our impact.”

The acquisition aligns with Solar Panda’s vision to serve millions of households by 2030. Solar Panda is currently raising its Series B equity round to further accelerate international expansion. Zambia will be Solar Panda’s third operating country, adding to its recently announced expansion into Senegal and its existing operations in Kenya.

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About Solar Panda: Solar Panda designs, manufactures, and sells word-class solar home systems that make clean energy affordable and accessible for off-grid homes. The company is headquartered in Canada and currently operates across Kenya and now Sénégal, with plans to expand to more countries across Africa in the near future. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through our website.

About VITALITE Zambia Limited: VITALITE Zambia Limited is a Zambian-registered social enterprise offering PAYGO solar systems, clean cookstoves, and productive use appliances. It has been recognized for its leadership in energy access, operational excellence, and customer impact since its founding in 2013.

• ‘Designing for Sustainability: Blueprint for a Low-Carbon Cold Room’ serves as a blueprint for off-grid solar companies and practitioners to design sustainable cooling.

5 June 2025: Efficiency for Access has published ‘Designing for Sustainability: Blueprint for a Low-Carbon Cold Room’, a report setting out the principles behind the construction of the world’s most sustainable solar-powered cold room to date. The report details ten best practices for cold room developers and companies who are aiming to mitigate embedded greenhouse gas emissions in their technologies.

Efficiency for Access has published ‘Designing for Sustainability: Blueprint for a Low-Carbon Cold Room’, a report setting out the principles behind the construction of the world’s most sustainable solar-powered cold room to date. The report details ten best practices for cold room developers and companies who are aiming to mitigate embedded greenhouse gas emissions in their technologies.

Developed in Homa Bay, Western Kenya, the cold room pilot was designed to deliver the benefits of a conventional cold room while significantly reducing environmental impact. The pilot was supported by the Siemens Cents4Sense initiative with the facilitation of Siemens Stiftung and the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, with local implementation by We!Hub Victoria Limited (WeTu).

“This ambitious, innovative project has shown the true power of collaboration. Working with passionate partners made it possible to turn an ambitious idea into a real solution. Thanks to this, we have brought to life an innovative, low-cost, low-carbon cold room that’s already making a difference for small-scale traders,” commented Charles Ogalo, Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) Coordinator, WeTu.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces the highest greenhouse gas emissions from food loss globally. Strengthening cold chain management could help reduce these emissions by two-thirds and significantly cut food loss.

Although solar-powered systems produce very few greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while in use, they can still generate significant emissions during the production process, especially from raw materials and manufacturing. This project demonstrated that a cold room made from natural and locally available materials could generate minimal greenhouse gas emissions. The final design reduced embedded GHG emissions by 63% and cost by 20% compared to the best-in-class cold room, which is insulated with regulated polyurethane sandwich panels.

“This project is a powerful example of how local design, combined with the use of affordable, locally available materials, can drive down both the cost and carbon footprint of renewable energy-based cooling solutions. When equipment is built with local materials, it becomes more economically viable and easier to repair and maintain—making sustainability truly scalable and rooted in local resilience,” said Richa Goyal, Programme Manager, IKEA Foundation.

Additionally, the standalone solar-powered system saves nearly four times more GHG emissions over a 20-year lifespan compared to grid-connected alternatives, even in regions with relatively clean electricity grids like Kenya.

“The cold room is based on SelfChill solar cooling units, which ensure maximum sustainability by using natural refrigerant and thermal storage to generate cold,” explained Florian Martini, Research and Innovation Manager at solar company Phaesun GmbH, provider of the SelfChill technology. “It is a great success for all those involved in the development and construction of the first prototype of the Low Carbon Cold Room to see that the cold room is now being used and appreciated by the market vendors in Homa Bay.”

Notably, the project calculated the environmental impact of the cold room while it was being designed and built. This enabled the design team to refine the room’s construction efficiently throughout its entire lifecycle.

Jakub Vrba, Senior Research Lead, Energy Saving Trust, co-Secretariat Efficiency for Access commented, “Locally assembled, solar-powered cold rooms can help mitigate GHG emissions, bolster food security, and improve livelihoods. This report demonstrates the value of using life cycle assessment to create high-performing and truly sustainable cooling solutions where they are needed most.”

Victor Torres – Founder of Solar Cooling Engineering (Developer of the SelfChill Approach) noted, “In terms of sustainability, local engagement, replicability, and cost efficiency, there is no better way of enabling access to refrigeration. This cold room in Homa Bay is a first-class innovation born from a purposeful vision. We are more delighted than ever to have been part of this project that made a dream come true.”

About the report

Key recommendations include:

• Multidisciplinary Expertise: Assemble diverse experts and local stakeholders early.
• Local Collaboration: Work with local suppliers and professionals from the start.
• Smart Designs: Use simple, effective designs and optimisation tools.
• Life Cycle Assessment: Use LCA tools for informed design decisions that reduce environmental impact and lower costs.
• Mock-Ups: Test key construction elements with mock-ups.
• Storage Compliance: Ensure design meets storage and food safety regulations.
• Humidity Management: se insulation materials suitable for recommended humidity levels.
• Carbon Reduction: Choose hybrid energy storage solutions to minimise GHG emissions.
• Green Techniques: Implement eco-friendly materials passive cooling technique.
• Cooling Efficiency: Enhance energy efficiency with evaporative cooling and thermal storage.

The full report can be found here.

For more information, comment or interviews, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

3 June 2025: Vittoria Technology is excited to announce it has received funding from the DOEN Foundation to accelerate its pioneering work deploying 2nd-life lithium-ion battery systems on mini-grids across Sub-Saharan Africa.

This support marks a significant milestone in Vittoria Technology’s mission to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy to underserved communities, while also promoting circular economy solutions in the sector. By repurposing used batteries, battery life cycles are extended and e-waste is reduced—providing sustainable power systems that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The support from DOEN will allow Vittoria Technology to scale 2nd life battery installations, through its Battery Bank Africa storage-as-a-service platform, while working with 2nd life battery manufacturers and mini–grid operators to build a sustainable market for 2nd life storage products in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We’re grateful for DOEN Foundation’s trust and support as we scale our impact,” said Liam Murphy, COO and Head of Circularity at Vittoria Technology. “This partnership will enable us to bring sustainable 2nd life storage solutions to more communities, reduce emissions, and increase energy access in areas where it’s needed most. In parallel it allows us to expand on our work with African 2nd life battery manufacturers building a circular battery economy.”

“Partnering with Vittoria Technology allows us to take a significant step towards a circular economy in the African renewable energy sector. By reusing lithium-ion batteries, we extend the lifespan of these valuable resources, reduce e-waste, and contribute to lower CO2 emissions. This project aligns perfectly with our mission to support regenerative economic models that are both ecologically and socially impactful.” – Coen Persijn, Program Manager at the DOEN Foundation

Using the DOEN Foundation’s support, Vittoria Technology will scale 2nd life battery installations in several key markets with the goal of installing over 2 megawatts at dozens of sites by the end of 2027. If you are a mini-grid developer interested in using 2nd life storage solutions please reach out This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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About Vittoria Technology: Vittoria Technology is an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to achieving progress for people and the planet through sustainable access to clean, affordable electricity. Vittoria Technology applies technical design and creative interventions to scale renewable energy across developing markets in Africa, namely through our Battery Bank Africa (BBA) service.

About DOEN FOUNDATION: DOEN is a driving force behind green, socially inclusive and creative pioneers. DOEN supports initiatives by people and organisations that contribute to a better world in an entrepreneurial, creative and innovative way. Besides supporting these pioneers, DOEN also brings them into contact with each other and to the attention of a large audience. DOEN receives all its funds from the Nationale Postcode Loterij (Dutch Postcode Lottery) and the VriendenLoterij (FriendsLottery).

29 May 2025: Solar Panda, a leading provider of solar home systems in Africa, is excited to announce its expansion into Sénégal. This marks an important milestone in the company’s mission to bring clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to off-grid households across the continent.

With over 350,000 homes powered in Kenya, Solar Panda is now taking its high-quality products and proven model to West Africa. The company offers innovative solar energy systems that provide lighting, phone charging, radios, televisions, and more, all powered by the sun.

To lead this exciting new chapter, Solar Panda has appointed Martin Lemaire as Managing Director for Sénégal. Martin brings extensive experience in the solar energy and last-mile distribution sector and is well-positioned to drive Solar Panda’s growth and impact in the country.

“With our superior products and commitment to customer service, we believe Solar Panda is a perfect fit for families across Sénégal. This launch represents a key step in our broader expansion across Africa, and Martin brings the leadership and experience we need in this new market”, says Andy Keith, Founder and CEO of Solar Panda.

Solar Panda is currently hiring for all roles in Sénégal, including:

• Sales Manager
• Customer Care Manager
• Logistics Manager
• Shop Managers
• Customer Care Agents
• HR, Accounting, and more

Expansion into Sénégal is an important and exciting next step for Solar Panda. We already know from years of experience that our products are the right fit for many families across Africa and have the ability to transform lives. Our new team in Sénégal continues the journey.

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About Solar Panda: Solar Panda designs, manufactures, and sells word-class solar home systems that make clean energy affordable and accessible for off-grid homes. The company is headquartered in Canada and currently operates across Kenya and now Sénégal, with plans to expand to more countries across Africa in the near future. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through our website.

6 May 2025: Baobab Group announced today the successful completion of the sale of its majority stake in Baobab+ to BioLite. This strategic divestment will enable Baobab+ to leverage BioLite’s technological expertise and operational strengths, accelerating innovation and sustainable growth in renewable energy solutions across Africa. Concurrently, the transaction aligns with Baobab Group’s strategic focus on its core business: providing fi nancial services to small businesses and underserved communities throughout the African continent.

Operating in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Madagascar, Baobab+ is a prominent provider of off-grid renewable energy solutions. As the company approaches its 10th anniversary, Baobab+ continues to grow rapidly, making a signifi cant positive impact on communities across the region. To date, Baobab+ has equipped more than 425,000 households with solar energy, improving the quality of life for over 2.5 million people. In addition to its primary mission, Baobab+ promotes digital inclusion and has equipped over 263,000 customers across its markets with smartphones and other digital devices, primarily through pay-as-you-go fi nancing plans.

BioLite, founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York and Nairobi, is a social enterprise dedicated to renewable energy solutions. Known for its innovative products across cooking, charging, and lighting, BioLite meets the unique needs of both energy-poor communities and outdoor enthusiasts through its distinctive “Parallel Innovation” model. BioLite has already positively impacted over 14.6 million lives worldwide by offering safe, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.

BioLite has been Baobab+’s primary supplier and strategic partner in off-grid solar products for the past six years. This change in ownership structure marks a signifi cant milestone, creating opportunities for even greater collaboration, growth, and innovation. With BioLite becoming the majority shareholder, Baobab+ is now well positioned as a vertically integrated provider of renewable energy solutions and a market leader in most of the countries where it operates, poised to champion renewable energy across the African continent.

The new shareholders, BioLite and Norfund, have appointed Kolawole Osinowo as CEO of the Baobab+ Group. Since 2021, he has successfully led the transformation of Baobab+ Nigeria into a Solar PAYGO Centre of Excellence. His solid experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in steering the Group through this next phase of growth and development.

Philip Sigwart, CEO of Baobab Group, commented: “We are proud to have supported Baobab+’s impressive journey over the past decade, enabling it to serve more than 425,000 households across its markets in Africa. Baobab+ has consistently provided high-quality renewable energy solutions, empowering both households and entrepreneurs. Our decision to divest is strategically aligned with our vision, enabling Baobab+ to enter its next growth phase while allowing us to concentrate fully on our mission of delivering fi nancial services to small businesses and underserved communities across Africa.”

”With BioLite’s innovation and Norfund’s support, we are entering a new era—scaling with purpose, deepening our local impact, and delivering sustainable energy solutions across Africa. I’m honoured to lead Baobab+ into this next chapter with a team of talented professionals.” stated Kolawole Osinowo, CEO, Baobab+ Group “We also remain deeply grateful for Baobab Group’s unwavering support over the years; their dedication has been crucial in expanding access to energy and digital solutions for underserved communities.”

“Building on a 6-year close partnership, BioLite is extremely excited to become the new shareholder of Baobab+. This partnership has been in alignment with BioLite’s mission to “Empower people and protect the planet through access to renewable energy”, and we hope to continue on this mission together with Baobab+. We believe that, by tying BioLite and Baobab+ together, we can achieve both tighter operational effi ciencies as well as greater investor confi dence, enabling a fi nancially stable growth platform for the future of both businesses. In addition, BioLite’s carbon fi nance platform will be more effectively applied in Baobab+ markets, leading to both lower consumer prices and healthy profi t margins. Therefore, this transaction will strengthen Baobab+ and enhance its performance in both the medium and long term. BioLite will closely support the Baobab+ operating team to scale the operations, drive profi tability, and deliver impact in these key markets.” Stated Jonathan Cedar, CEO of BioLite.

“For Norfund, as a Development Finance Institution and notable investor in the African distributed Energy landscape, this next chapter for the company encompasses a leap forward and further strengthens the strategy implemented when we fi rst invested. We believe backward integration and consolidation are key for ‘Last mile distributors’ long-term success. Norfund will remain a signifi cant minority investor in the Company as it embarks on this new journey”. Stated Birgit Edlefsen, Senior Vice President at Norfund.

Baobab Group as the Seller was advised by Enexus Finance as M&A advisor, Gide Loyrette Nouel as legal advisor and PwC as provider of the Tax VDD.

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About Baobab+: Launched in 2015 and operating in four African countries, Baobab+ is a social enterprise that supports households and entrepreneurs in their energy autonomy through the distribution of solar kits, with 425,000 households already equipped (+2.5 million benefi ciaries). In addition to this primary vocation, Baobab+ offers digital devices for educational and professional purposes, with more than 263,000 households already equipped. These products benefi t from fi nancing facilities to make them accessible to all.

14 April 2025: Swiss solar water pump innovator ENNOS and Ugandan technology and electronics manufacturing leader INNOVEX have officially launched a groundbreaking partnership aimed at addressing water scarcity in rural and developing regions.

The partnership was inaugurated by Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, on 10th April 2025, at the Deep Tech Centre of Excellence located in Namanve Industrial Park, Uganda. In her address, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero stated, “The Government of Uganda warmly welcomes this innovative partnership. This smart solar water pumping solution enables rural farmers to affordably acquire irrigation systems through installments, thereby enhancing productivity. It further paves the way for scaling irrigation-as-a-service, significantly improving agricultural output and rural livelihoods. On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I endorse this partnership wholeheartedly and formally launch it”.

Speaking at the event, Douglas Baguma, Managing Director of Innovex, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “This partnership marks a historic milestone in Uganda’s technological and manufacturing landscape. It demonstrates our commitment to realising African business potential through local technological advancement. By locally manufacturing high-value components, we’re creating employment opportunities, driving innovation, and enabling sustainable economic growth. This aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering communities through cutting-edge, locally developed technology solutions.”

Karin Jeanneret Vezzini, CEO of ENNOS, further commented on the strategic significance of the partnership: “By combining ENNOS’s globally recognized solar water pump controller technology with INNOVEX’s advanced remote monitoring capabilities (REMOT platform), we offer an unmatched solution for efficient, affordable, and sustainable water access. Imagine optimized pump performance, proactive remote management, and actionable data-driven insights—all contributing to sustainable electrification, increased agricultural productivity, and a greener future.”

This partnership is more than just a business collaboration—it represents a fusion of Swiss technological precision and Ugandan innovation, designed specifically to deliver tangible impacts and set new industry standards in solar water solutions. Already, the partnership has secured an initial order of 2,000 units, scheduled for delivery by the end of December 2025. This landmark collaboration has also created 30 direct high-value jobs at launch, with projections indicating a fivefold growth in employment over the next five years. By 2030, the partnership aims to export over 100,000 IoT-enabled solar pumps, significantly contributing to Uganda’s economy through foreign exchange earnings and attracting additional investments.

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About ENNOS AG: ENNOS AG, headquartered in Switzerland, specializes in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of market-leading solar water pump technologies. Their solutions emphasize efficiency, reliability, and affordability, primarily benefiting rural and developing regions globally.

About INNOVEX (U) Ltd: INNOVEX Uganda Ltd is a premier Ugandan electronics manufacturer and technology provider known for its proprietary REMOT IoT monitoring platform. Based in Kampala, Innovex delivers world-class electronics manufacturing services and innovative digital solutions to advance renewable energy adoption and economic development across Africa.

7 April 2025: Two years after launching their collaboration on solar projects in sub-Saharan Africa, EWIA Green Investments GmbH (EWIA), SunErgy GmbH, and KGAL have decided to convert their partnership into a merger. Under the terms of a new agreement, EWIA will acquire all shares in SunErgy. In turn, SunErgy’s existing shareholders will take stakes in EWIA Green Investments GmbH. The merger aims to establish a leading solar provider for Africa, overseeing projects from planning and financing to implementation.

“Investments in solar and infrastructure drive growth and prosperity in Africa while countering the climate crisis,” said Ralph Schneider, Managing Director of EWIA. “Simultaneously, this market offers unparalleled potential for investors globally.”

“With an average age of 19, Africa is not only the continent with the youngest population but also the one with the greatest growth opportunities,” emphasizes Dr. Alexander Ergenzinger, Investment Manager at SunErgy’s main shareholder KGAL, and Managing Director of SunErgy GmbH.

600 million people on the continent still have to manage completely without electricity supply. In many African countries, high and steadily rising electricity prices, combined with frequent, prolonged power outages, pose a severe challenge to the economy and social stability. These outages must be compensated for with expensive diesel generators (costing approximately €0.50–0.80/kWh) – an unsatisfactory situation both economically and ecologically.

Africa, the solar continent

Due to its proximity to the equator and an annual sunshine duration ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 hours, sub-Saharan Africa boasts enormous potential for solar energy generation.

SunErgy was founded in Norway in 2010 and aims to provide communities in emerging markets with off-grid solar energy through small turnkey solar power plants that are connected directly to customers’ buildings via their own power grid, so-called mini-grids.

Synergy thanks to SunErgy

SunErgy complements EWIA’s business. To date, the company has focused on selling solar systems to commercial and industrial customers under a solar-as-a-service model tailored for medium-sized enterprises. EWIA manages the planning, financing, construction, and operation of these systems, which are designed to largely self-finance through cumulative savings on diesel and grid electricity costs for customers. Geographically, operations have centred on Ghana and Nigeria. Following the acquisition, EWIA now employs 76 people.

Mini Grids for villages in Cameroon

SunErgy’s activities have so far been organized through SunErgy GmbH in Germany and its two subsidiaries in Cameroon, SunErgy Ltd. and 2 Mites Ltd. SunErgy Cameroon is responsible for the construction and operation of solar power plants in Cameroon, as well as for building solar power plants in other African countries. In September 2014, the company signed an agreement with the Republic of Cameroon to supply solar power to 92 villages in the southwest region, encompassing approximately 115,000 families (600,000 people), as well as schools, health centres, and private and public enterprises. Twelve municipalities have now been electrified through the construction of mini-grids.

“The merger of EWIA and SunErgy is a meaningful step toward realising our strategy of becoming one of the leading providers of solar solutions for sub-Saharan Africa,” affirms Ralph Schneider. “In addition to geographical expansion and diversification into the stand-alone solutions market, another crucial factor is that, with shareholders like KGAL, we gain established and experienced investors and investment professionals with proven expertise in the infrastructure sector, which constitutes a substantial enhancement.”

“KGAL has been providing investors with investment strategies in the renewable energy sector for over 20 years,” adds Michael Ebner, Managing Director of Asset and Portfolio Management at KGAL. “We are pleased to entrust SunErgy to EWIA and support the company’s continued growth. The African renewable energy market offers impact investors a wide array of opportunities.”

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About EWIA Green Investments: EWIA provides small and medium-sized businesses in Africa with access to clean solar energy and serves as a bridge builder to investors in Europe as well as for the transfer of technology know-how. Based in Munich, Germany, with operating entities in Ghana and Nigeria, EWIA offers private and institutional investors access to attractive impact investments in the fight against climate change and for sustainable economic growth in Africa. With EWIA’s flexible full-service financing solution, companies in Africa have the opportunity to obtain solar power, financing, security and service from a single source. In the infrastructure sector, EWIA funds and constructs mobile phone communication masts and traffic monitoring systems and equips them with PV systems. For more information, visit https://www.ewiainvestments.com/.

3 April 2025: The report Beyond Silos: Strengthening Nexus Collaboration to Power Food Systems with Off-Grid Solar addresses the intertwined nature of energy use, efficiency, sustainability, and productivity of food systems in Africa, and calls for greater collaboration and ‘nexus’ approaches to maximize impact on food security.

The authors are a consortium of partners across the food systems and energy sectors, including GOGLA, IRENA, Efficiency for Access, GAIN, AGRA, GIZ, SNV and Wageningen University Research, with support from the IKEA Foundation.

Effective collaboration between food systems and the off-grid solar sector is crucial for transforming agricultural productivity and uplifting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, who produce the majority of the food in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper forges a vital link between energy and agricultural stakeholders, deepening their mutual understanding of priorities and challenges. By aligning efforts, we can help accelerate innovation, strengthen food security, and make agriculture more climate-resilient.Jakub Vrba, Senior Research Lead, Energy Saving Trust, co-secretariat Efficiency for Access.

Africa’s goal to become food secure in the next decade, outlined in the recent Kampala Declaration includes transforming the continent’s agri-food systems and increasing agrifood output by 45% by 2035. However, smallholder farmers—who produce up to 80% of the food supply in sub-Saharan Africa—lack essential infrastructure, with more than two-thirds of rural communities still without electricity, restricting agricultural productivity, hindering economic growth, food security and rural resilience.

Off-grid solar energy, including irrigation, cooling and agri-processing solutions, is the quickest and most cost-effective solution for almost half of the people living without electricity today. It offers a stepping stone to clean, decentralized, and sustainable energy access for productive use, inclusive economic opportunities and growth.

It is already being used by 700,000 farmers, increasing their productivity year-round despite seasonal droughts, enabling access to new markets, increasing the value of their produce and benefitting communities with increased nutritional value in food.

Where the majority of food is produced by smallholder farmers without energy access, off-grid solar offers an opportunity to increase yield, productivity and economic growth. More broadly, through clean energy access we are decreasing reliance on fossil fuel and creating more sustainable food systems. Sarah Malm, Executive Director, GOGLA.

To reach its potential of serving 32 millions farmers and deliver optimal outcomes, food systems and energy sector stakeholders need to work together, learn from one another and build a common language and approach to integrating off-grid solar in food systems.

As global challenges grow more complex, this paper highlights the need for collaboration across sectors to build sustainable food systems. It brings together diverse expertise to find common ground, explore ways of working together, and showcase real-world examples of how integrated solutions can drive impact. The focus is clear: fast-tracking collaborative action to support smallholder farmers and value chain actors in producing and consuming food more efficiently and sustainably.Martijn Veen, Global Head of the Energy Sector, SNV.

Connecting technology push from the clean energy domain to the needs of agricultural development in LMICs requires mutual understanding and alignment to lead to effective interventions such as irrigation, processing, or cooling. This white paper creates awareness of the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach aimed at synergy to create sustainable impact.Jan Verschoor, Senior researcher/Consultant Postharvest Technology, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research.

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About GOGLA: GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, representing over 200 members working to transform lives through clean, affordable, and high-quality solar products and services. More than 560 million climate-vulnerable people already benefit from off-grid solar to power their homes, farms, enterprises and public infrastructure. With the right support, our industry is poised to scale rapidly, aiming to improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030. GOGLA drives this progress by serving as a central hub for the sector, offering vital market data, advocating for supportive policies and increased investment, and providing value-added services to our members. For more information, visit https://gogla.org/.

3 April 2025: In a significant milestone for off-grid solar and global efforts to combat climate change, d.light has successfully mitigated 40 million tons of carbon dioxide—equivalent to the total annual emissions of Norway. This achievement emphasizes the crucial role off-grid solar plays in reducing global carbon footprints, particularly in regions where access to clean energy remains a challenge.

Since its inception, d.light has provided solar-powered solutions to off-grid communities, benefiting over 190 million people. Its products, including solar home systems, solar inverters, clean cookstoves, and energy-efficient appliances, offer a cleaner and more affordable alternative to kerosene lamps and biomass fuels. These solutions not only reduce CO₂ emissions, they alleviate indoor air pollution, save rural households money on fuel expenses, and reduce deforestation.

The growing impact of off-grid solar is underscored by its inclusion among the top 10 global solutions for carbon mitigation, as recognized by Project Drawdown. According to Drawdown’s Table of Solutions, tracking two separate scenarios, distributed (off-grid) solar and clean cooking rank as two of the most effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. “Drawdown Scenario 1 is roughly in line with 2˚C temperature rise by 2100, while Drawdown Scenario 2 is roughly in-line with 1.5˚C temperature rise at century’s end.” The recognition highlights how widespread adoption of these solutions is essential for achieving the global climate goals.

In addition to mitigating carbon emissions, off-grid solar is also contributing to significant economic benefits. d.light’s solutions empower underserved communities by enabling income generation, job creation, and the growth of small businesses. By expanding access to clean energy, d.light is helping to create a more sustainable and resilient future for millions of people. The progress in measuring the impact of off-grid solar has been enhanced by updated standards, such as those introduced by the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA). The latest version of GOGLA’s impact metrics—Version 4.0—provides a more refined picture of off-grid solar’s environmental, economic, and social benefits. This includes tracking customer location, job creation, and a deeper understanding of regional variations in solar adoption, with a focus on East and West Africa, and South Asia.

As the industry continues to evolve, these metrics will offer a clearer view of the transformative effects of solar energy solutions in combating climate change, driving economic development, and improving lives. For d.light, these advancements highlight the broader impact of its products—beyond reducing carbon emissions, they foster financial independence and social development in some of the world’s most underserved regions.

Despite these significant strides, the global need for clean energy access remains vast, with nearly a billion people still relying on kerosene for lighting and traditional stoves for cooking. Expanding affordable, off-grid solar solutions remains critical to closing this energy access gap and accelerating global efforts toward a low-carbon future.

As d.light continues to lead the way, the growing recognition of off-grid solar and clean cooking as key solutions in the fight against climate change marks a pivotal moment. With the right investment and policy support, off-grid solar has the potential to power a sustainable, equitable future for communities around the world.

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About d.light: Founded in 2007 at Stanford in California, d.light is a global leader in making transformative products available and affordable to low-income families. d.light has sold 35 million products, including solar lanterns, solar home systems, TVs, radios, and smartphones, impacting the lives of over 190 million people. Our vision is to transform the lives of one billion people with sustainable products by 2030. For more information, visit https://www.dlight.com.

1 April 2025: Access to electricity in Zambia has risen from 30% in 2017 to currently nearly 50%. Whilst half of the population is connected, the remaining half will require new energy solutions. Zambia currently relies on hydropower for 80% its electricity generation, but recent droughts have shown the limitations of this energy source.

In collaboration with the World Bank, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Africa Minigrid Development Association (AMDA), and other partners, the Government of Zambia is redoubling its efforts to invest in off-grid solar energy throughout the country to connect all Zambians.

“Our target is to have at least 200 solar mini-grids operational by 2030, ensuring that every rural district in Zambia has access to clean, affordable, and reliable electricity,” said Makozo Chikote, Minister of Energy of Zambia.

Solar home systems, which are rooftop solar panels that provide electricity for lighting, charging phones and running certain appliances, and mini grids, which are solar electricity generation and storage plants that provide electricity to whole villages – have the potential to reach 8.5 million Zambians currently still without electricity. However, while they are the cheapest and easiest way to connect remote populations, developers are facing technical and financial obstacles.

A conference, organized by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), COMESA and AMDA from April 1st to the 3rd in Lusaka, is bringing together mini grid developers, financiers, government representatives and development partners to look at the progress made in mini grid technologies and to discuss remaining impediments to their rapid deployment.

“Energy access changes people’s lives. It improves health and quality of life and helps create jobs and livelihoods that lift people out of poverty. The World Bank Group is partnering with the African Development Bank and other partners on Mission 300, an ambitious initiative to connect 300 million people to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 and accelerate development and poverty reduction. In Zambia, Mission 300 includes supporting an acceleration of the deployment of distributed renewable energy,” noted Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia.

With an average of 24 inhabitants per square kilometer, Zambia is amongst the least densely populated countries in the world, making electricity grid extension challenging and costly. The World Bank is supporting Zambia’s electricity access initiatives, including the development of mini-grids, through projects like the Electricity Services Access Project (ESAP) and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project (ZTIP), aiming to expand access to affordable and sustainable energy.

19 March 2025: Solarcool, an innovative startup harnessing solar cooling technology to drive decarbonisation, has successfully concluded its participation in the prestigious Energy Camp 2025, sponsored by GET.invest. The event, held from March 14 to 19, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, provided Solarcool with a platform to demonstrate its potential to create significant environmental and economic impact, while calling for increased support from donors and investors to scale its operations.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, Solarcool’s cutting-edge solar cooling technology offers a sustainable solution to one of the most energy-intensive sectors: cooling. By replacing traditional, carbon-heavy cooling systems with renewable energy-powered alternatives, Solarcool is poised to make a measurable impact on global decarbonisation efforts.

Solarcool’s technology reduces reliance on fossil fuels by utilising solar energy for cooling, significantly lowering carbon emissions by promoting clean energy adoption in small businesses and households.

With cooling demand projected to triple globally by 2050, Solarcool is positioned to capture a significant share of the growing market for sustainable cooling solutions. The startup’s participation in the Energy Camp 2025 has validated its business model and prepared it for rapid growth with the right investment and support. Solarcool has already demonstrated its ability to innovate and adapt, earning recognition from industry leaders and experts during the camp.

Christopher Nwatu Edeh, founder of Solarcool, emphasised the importance of donor and investor support: “The Energy Camp 2025 has been a turning point for Solarcool. We have refined our strategy, built valuable connections, and proven the viability of our technology. Now, we need the support of forward-thinking donors and investors to scale our impact and bring sustainable cooling solutions to communities and industries worldwide. Together, we can drive decarbonisation and create a cleaner, cooler future.”

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About Solarcool: Solarcool is a Lagos-based startup dedicated to advancing decarbonisation through solar cooling technology. By harnessing renewable energy, Solarcool provides sustainable cooling solutions that reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and support climate action.

The Startup|Energy initiative builds on the long-standing activities of the Stiftung Solarenergie – Solar Energy Foundation (Freiburg) to promote indigenous solar companies in Africa. Together with the University of Freiburg, Startup Energy offers a novel accelerator program for energy startups.

About GET.invest: GET.invest is a European programme that mobilises investment in renewable energy, co-funded by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria.

The Solar Energy Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Germany that has been working for more than 20 years to promote decentralised solar power in sub-Saharan Africa.

27 February 2025: On the sidelines of the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) 2025, the Agence française de développement (AFD) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) announce the signing of a statement of intent to strengthen their collaboration in accelerating universal access to sustainable and affordable energy in sub-Saharan Africa.

This initiative is part of Mission 300, a large-scale program led by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, aiming to electrify 300 million people in Africa by 2030. The signing of this statement marks a decisive step in mobilizing public and private sector stakeholders to address the continent’s energy challenges.

A Structuring Partnership to Transform Energy Access in Africa

This partnership is built on four key strategic pillars. First, a strengthened strategic dialogue to align priorities, with the establishment of an annual dialogue and joint participation in international events to mobilize additional funding. Second, the mobilization of new financing through innovative mechanisms to catalyze investments and support local financial institutions in financing energy sector businesses.

Innovation is also at the heart of this collaboration. AFD and SEforALL will organize an innovation challenge in Nigeria in 2026 to reinforce the European Union co-financed Digital Energy program (an initiative under the Global Gateway strategy) in order to accelerate the digital transformation of the country’s electricity sector. Additionally, both organizations will explore the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence applied to energy, optimizing efficiency and infrastructure management. Finally, AFD and SEforALL will work to integrate existing initiatives, particularly through SEforALL’s Universal Energy Facility (UEF), while mobilizing SMEs, start-ups, and local operators to ensure the viability and impact of electrification projects.

Turning Political Ambitions into Concrete Solutions

Through this partnership, AFD and SEforALL reaffirm their commitment to translating political ambitions into concrete solutions. By combining their expertise and leveraging their respective networks, both organizations aim to play a key role in implementing a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa.

This strategic partnership with SEforALL is a major step forward in accelerating energy access in Africa. Building on the commitments made by France, through the AFD Group, at the Mission 300 Summit in Dar-es-Salaam, we aim to combine our efforts, stimulate innovation, mobilise finance and provide concrete solutions for populations still without electricity. said Rémy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer of AFD Group.

AFD’s support to SDG7 is testament to its commitment to advancing the global energy transition in a just and inclusive manner. AFD and SEforALL recognize the need for stronger collaboration to promote sustainable energy solutions, mobilize financing, and enhance knowledge sharing to achieve meaningful impact in the energy sector. I am particularly pleased about the resonance between our initiatives and our forthcoming cooperation. Damilola Ogunbiyi, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN Energy.