21 September 2021: U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has invested $10 million in Nithio's Financial Intermediary, Nithio FI, B.V., an AI-enabled clean energy financing platform. Strongly aligned with DFC's climate-focused investments agenda, this investment enables Nithio to scale its data-driven financing to impact more than 3.5 million people by 2025 and drive climate change adaptation efforts in Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. The investment, joined alongside FSD Africa Investments and EDFI-ElectriFI, finalized Nithio FI's first round of $23 million. Nithio FI is a blended finance, permanent capital vehicle that is purpose-built to mobilize capital at scale.

Nithio continues to scale its lending operations in key growth markets. To date, Nithio has invested in four high-impact off-grid solar and microfinance institutions in Kenya and Nigeria, including VEP, Rafode, Winock, and A4&T Power Solutions.  Nithio has built a strong pipeline and looks forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with companies focused on providing solar energy for powering homes, businesses, and agricultural activities. These products not only bring clean energy access, they increase resilience to climate change.

"Nithio has created an innovative, data-driven solution that fills a large gap in the market to sustainably scale capital flows to the clean energy sector. By standardizing credit risk, Nithio's investments will have an outsized impact towards achieving universal energy access and combating the effects of climate change," said Bobby Pittman, Nithio Co-Founder and Founding Partner at Kupanda Capital.

As Nithio moves to its next phase of growth, the team thanks Héla Cheikhrouhou for her service as Chief Executive Officer and wishes her well in her return to the public sector as Regional Vice President for Middle East, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan at the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

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About Nithio: Nithio is an energy financing platform powered by a proprietary AI-enabled risk analytics engine. Nithio developed its innovative approach to standardize credit risk assessments in order to unlock and scale energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nithio advances energy financing at scale through its Financial Intermediary, Nithio FI B.V., which offers receivables-backed financing to off-grid energy providers in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya. Driven by the Risk Analytics Engine, Nithio FI's innovative approach expands access to off-grid clean energy for households, micro businesses, and smallholder farmers. For more information, visit: www.nithio.com.

20 September 2021: EEP Africa has launched a new cohort of 26 projects promoting productive use of energy and circular economy in Southern and East Africa.

The new portfolio stems from a 2020 competitive call for proposals on Clean Energy Powering Green Growth. From among 357 applications submitted, 26 companies were awarded a total of EUR 8.3 million in financing for projects to be implemented in 12 countries across Southern and East Africa. The new grantees are mainly start-up companies (81%), with a significant share of locally-led (62%) and women-led (38%) enterprises.

“We see many clean energy start-ups developing sustainable solutions to stimulate green growth in rural communities. However, it is a well-known fact that there is a severe lack of flexible and early-stage financing for such innovators, especially for local and women-led companies. EEP Africa is proud to be one of the leading funders willing to take risks and catalyse investment in new technologies and business models.” – Jussi Viding, EEP Africa Fund Manager

The new portfolio demonstrates the growing trend of integrating energy services along the entire agricultural value chain. It includes projects that are bringing solutions to market in solar irrigation and cooling, agro-processing, waste-to-energy and e-mobility. Grant funding is needed to test and demonstrate new products and business models in these areas. It also allows companies to expand asset financing and financial inclusion, which increases uptake of productive use assets in last-mile communities.

The new projects aim to enhance access to energy for both household and productive use purposes. Collectively, they expect to create 2,600 new jobs (43% for women) and result in EUR 7.7 million in annual savings on energy-related expenditures. The call primarily attracted applications for stand-alone appliances and services, rather than large-scale power plants, but even so the new projects are projected to generate 25,000 MWh of clean energy per year and reduce or avoid 105,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.

“Clean energy has a critical role to play in fostering sustainable rural economic development. Market entry for new products and technologies can be very challenging. EEP Africa serves as a catalyst to enable promising small and medium enterprises at the early stages of the financial growth cycle to test and refine their business models in view of becoming bankable.” – Henrik Franklin, Director of Portfolio Origination & Management, Nordic Development Fund

The new grantees join those funded under earlier calls, resulting in a combined portfolio of 67 companies working in 14 countries. The portfolio collectively reflects the incredible diversity of technologies, products and business models being utilised to advance a just clean energy transition in Africa.

Download the EEP Africa New Portfolio 2021 booklet.

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About EEP Africa: EEP Africa is an early-stage clean energy financing facility hosted by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) with funding provided by Austria, Finland and NDF. EEP Africa is proud to support innovative projects that are catalysing sustainable and inclusive green growth and contributing to achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

15 September 2021: After a years-long partnership, ecoligo, the German climate solution leader will take over Namene Solar’s project business in West Africa.

The German company ecoligo, provider of a solar-as-a-service solution for companies in emerging countries, will add the commercial and industrial solar projects of Namene Solar West Africa, based in Ghana, to its rapidly growing portfolio of solar projects.

Namene Solar has been active in Ghana since 2015. During this time, they have developed and constructed pioneering solar sites in Ghana, including the 400kWp Central University solar system that was realized in partnership with ecoligo.

Namene Solar will focus its West Africa operations on scaling its global solar lights business. The lights division is growing rapidly, with leading NGOs and high-volume corporate buyers among its customer base, and an innovative climate financing scheme. While Namene Solar West Africa will remain part of the Namene Group, focusing on its successful lights business, Namene Solar’s West Africa power division will be acquired by ecoligo.

ecoligo’s acquisition of Namene Solar’s Ghana C&I business comes amid a rapid growth phase for the Berlin-based company, including new flagship projects in Africa and Vietnam as well as forthcoming entry into multiple new markets. With 3.7 MWp of solar power projects in the country already, ecoligo is thrilled to further grow its business in Ghana in pursuit of its mission to tackle climate change at the source.

“We are delighted to announce that ecoligo will be taking over Namene Solar’s C&I projects division in Ghana, ensuring continuity for our staff and customers whilst we focus Namene Solar’s West African operations towards our market leading small-scale solar lights offering. We are confident in the continued, successful growth of Ghana’s solar market, utilizing ecoligo’s expertise and solar-as-a-service model for emerging markets.”

Namene Solar Director, Jason Wallis

“With the effects of climate change growing everyday we know the time to act is now. This expansion of our project portfolio in Ghana dramatically increases the amount of CO2 emissions we prevent from entering the atmosphere and positions us to further grow our business in Ghana. Our unique solar-as-a-service business model has helped over 100 businesses to seamlessly move to affordable solar power. We are thrilled to provide the same high level of service and support to our new customers.”

ecoligo CEO and Co-founder, Martin Baart

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About Namene Solar: Namene Solar delivers solar power without limit. As a solar company, our purpose is to bring everyone, everywhere access to clean, affordable energy. We do this by connecting people to the sun to power their lives. As solar specialists, we provide solar solutions of all sizes. From our award-winning, portable SM100 solar light, to fully-financed end-to-end solar installations. For the growing number of people choosing to power their homes, lives, and businesses with solar energy, Namene Solar enables their transition. For more information, visit: www.namenesolar.com.

About ecoligo: Combining global reach and local expertise ecoligo is here to save businesses money on their electricity bills and save the planet while doing it. Their fully financed solar-as-a-service solution for businesses in emerging markets removes the barriers that prevent such projects from being realized. A one-stop-shop for clean, affordable solar energy, they handle everything from financing to installation and maintenance so clients can focus on running their business. Our projects support the local economy, save business money on electricity costs and CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere, a win-win-win for us all.

15 September 2021: EDFI ElectriFI is making available a USD 6m revolving working capital facility (USD 4m from its global facility and USD 2m from the Nigeria Country Window) to Amped Innovation, a company designing and supplying high efficiency, lower cost solar home systems (SHS) and appliances for distributors across the world.

Amped Innovation, a US-based company developing a new generation of highly efficient solar home systems was boosted by ElectriFI USD 6m revolving debt facility to fund its working capital needs.

Amped Innovation focuses on solar equipment with integrated pay-as-you-go functionality such as high-performance lighting, televisions, cold-chain appliances, and DC-AC inverters. The company’s products offer high quality, reliable technology solutions, which are also affordable to low-income population segments. Amped Innovation gained recognition through a number of technology awards; its solar water pump and solar fridge were named Global LEAP awards finalists in 2019, and it was awarded a £160,000 R&D grant from Efficiency for Access for its continued innovation of off-grid refrigerators.

“EDFI ElectriFI is happy to support Amped Innovation which is a very dynamic and innovative company. This working capital facility is the first such instrument offered by ElectriFI. By financing Amped Innovation’s working capital needs, our debt financing will allow the company to use its cash resources on research and development and other corporate needs,” explained Natalia Svarinska, ElectriFI Senior Investment Officer at EDFI Management Company.

Here too, EDFI ElectriFI is collaborating with the government and the EU Delegation in Nigeria to accelerate renewable energy access in the country. Amped also benefited from the advisory and facilitation services of the European programme GET.invest.

“The EDFI working capital facility will accelerate Amped’s deployment of energy access solutions into over 20 countries across Africa and Southeast Asia.  With each new customer order, Amped can draw on the EDFI facility to finance inventory purchasing. This cash availability is crucial – smoothing cashflow just when it is needed in the manufacturing production cycle,” concluded Andrea Kleissner, co-CEO at Amped Innovation.

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About Amped Innovation: Amped Innovation powers homes and businesses that lack access to reliable power. Amped designs breakthrough solar energy solutions that out-perform the grid and leap-frog it. With its team of power electronics experts, it has designed a portfolio of solar lighting and TV products that deliver superior brightness and runtimes. Amped Innovation is redefining solar. For more information, visit: www.ampedinnovation.com.

About EDFI ElectriFI: EDFI ElectriFI is an EU-funded impact investment facility, financing early-stage private companies and projects, focusing on new/improved electricity connections as well as on generation capacity from sustainable energy sources in emerging markets.

EDFI ElectriFI, is managed by the EDFI Management Company, a company established by the 15 European Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). For more information, visit: www.electrifi.eu.

15 September 2021: The Government of Mozambique yesterday approved in the Council of Ministers, by Decree, the Regulation for Off-Grid Energy Access.

This regulation is the result of the Government’s efforts to recognise the importance of the sector to catalyse rural socio-economic development, leveraging private sector investment and improving the living conditions of millions of people.

Mozambique joins neighbouring countries, by putting in place a regulatory framework that will provide greater clarity to all actors in the off-grid energy sector. This will ensure the necessary conditions for the private sector to develop its activities and protect investments in a diverse set of technologies applicable to the off-grid context, such as solar home systems, mini-grids, and improved cooking solutions.

This regulation is the result of the visionary and committed work of the Government of Mozambique, with special reference to all the institutions involved, namely the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME), the Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE), and the National Energy Fund (FUNAE).

The BRILHO Programme, funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, expresses its gratitude for the trust placed in this partnership by the Government of Mozambique. BRILHO is grateful for having been an integral part of the process to develop this new regulation, from its initial conception to operationalisation.

The BRILHO Programme is mandated to catalyse energy access through Solar Home Systems, Green Mini-Grids and Improved Cooking Solutions, to benefit 1.5 million Mozambicans and 15,000 small businesses by 2024.

The approval of this regulation represents a big step and sets high expectations for the sector. This sentiment is reflected in the positive reactions from the different key stakeholders in the sector.

António Osvaldo Saíde, PCA - FUNAE, FP, says:

"The regulation for off-grid energy is the leverage for the entry of strategic partners, the private sector, as it clarifies the rules of the game in the development of this unequivocal path for the achievement of universal access in 2030. The Government’s vision and actions to create an enabling environment for private sector investments demonstrate a commitment to transformation and social inclusion, and that consequently promotes economic inclusion in remote areas."

Sergio Dista, Private Sector Development Adviser at BHC Maputo, commented:

‘Our financial and technical support to the Government of Mozambique through the BRILHO programme forms part of the UK Energy Africa campaign. The approval of this regulation is one step ahead to accelerate the expansion of off-grid energy markets in Mozambique and, it will help to achieve universal energy access by 2030’.

According to Vivian Vendeirinho, President of AMDA (Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association) and CEO of RVE.SOL: ‘The new regulation allows for decentralised renewable energy providers to build mini-grid systems that will provide reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity to underserved rural communities in Mozambique. This will anchor their socio-economic development opportunities, so they are not left behind as the economy of the country evolves and grows. The end result will be the empowerment of rural communities, more jobs and trading opportunities for Mozambique’.

Javier Ayala, Team Leader of the BRILHO Programme and Energy Sector Leader for SNV Mozambique, commented: ‘This represents a major achievement for the off-grid sector in Mozambique. It will contribute to accelerating and increasing access to energy through solar home systems and green mini-grids for electrification, and clean cooking solutions, benefiting households and businesses with a greener, more inclusive and sustainable economy. The required regulatory conditions are now provided for the businesses to initiate and scale up their operations in Mozambique’s off-grid energy market; the BRILHO Programme is ready and available to provide the financial and technical support for their implementation'. 

The Decree will be accompanied by specific regulations that will provide Mozambique with a complete regulatory framework, which will act as an anchor for the growth and sustainable development of the off-grid energy sector.

7 September 2021: Teams from around the world are invited to register for and participate in Empower a Billion Lives – II (EBL-II), the biennial global competition to develop and demonstrate viable, holistic and scalable solutions to the challenging problems of severe energy poverty and lack of energy access that impacts billions of people around the world. EBL is organized by the IEEE Power Electronics Society (IEEE PELS) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and its partners.

Three billion people live in severe energy poverty, including 770 million who live without electricity access. With current policies and solutions, it is predicted that by 2030, there will still be around 660 million people without electricity access, falling far short of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7) targeted in the Decade of Action. Providing affordable and sustainable energy access can dramatically impact living standards, health, education, productivity, and ability to be a part of modern society. Solving energy poverty using 21st century technology would also result in reduction of 3.8 gigatons per year in carbon emissions, as compared with the use of traditional 20th century methods. New solutions that can scale are clearly needed.

EBL-II is building on the success of EBL-I, where over 450 teams from 70 countries participated in events, field demonstrations, and at the global final in Baltimore in the US. EBL II seeks to engage teams once again to develop solutions that will have a great impact in energy access, have sound business plans, are regionally relevant, and will scale.

In EBL-I over $500,000 was provided in awards and team support, including a $100,000 grand prize to team SoULS from IIT Bombay, India for an innovative model of Energy Swaraj (energy self-sustainability) based on marrying advanced industrial supply chain principles with a program to boost self-reliance for local women through training, jobs and entrepreneurship, a solution that has already reached over 1 million people. Other global winners include XPower from Rwanda, Reeddi and Havenhill Synergy from Nigeria, Entrepreneurs du Monde and Okra from Cambodia, and SolarWorx from Germany.

The EBL competition encourages multi-disciplinary teams consisting of innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers, as well as student teams from colleges and universities, to develop and demonstrate innovative and cost-effective solutions that are based on fast-moving 21st century technologies with rapidly declining prices. A primary focus of EBL-II is to reduce technology and market risk, and to achieve scale and impact with solutions that are robust, economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and affordable for those who live on less than $1.90 USD per day.

Liuchen Chang, President of IEEE PELS states that “EBL is a unique program, marrying the latest capabilities in technology with the ability to scale rapidly. It leverages the global presence of IEEE, its preeminent position as a technology leader, and its tremendous volunteer base, to execute such a wide-ranging program. It also aligns very well with IEEE’s mission to advance technology for the benefit of humanity. EBL showcases how the most advanced technologies can be applied to solve problems of energy equity and access, and to do it in a manner that is sustainable and environmentally friendly i.e., good for the planet.” Teams from small and large companies, entrepreneurial start-ups, research institutions, and university students from different parts of the world will provide regional and cultural relevance to the solutions and are all invited to participate.

Please visit www.empowerabillionlives.org to learn more about Empower a Billion Lives II, to view the past winners, and to find out about how to compete in or to become a sponsor.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world’s largest technical organization with over 400,000 members/volunteers in 160 countries. The IEEE Power Electronics Society has over 30 years’ experience in facilitating and guiding the development and innovation in the control of electrical power for a wide variety of consumer, commercial, industrial, utility, transportation, and renewable energy applications.

7 September 2021: The research partnership between Energy 4 Impact and the UK aid-funded Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme continues with the launch of the third report in our joint Financing Clean Cooking series. The report Clean Cooking: Structuring Concessions for Displaced People looks at the potential for clean cooking concessions in refugee camps and other displacement settings.

Several of the largest refugee camps in the world can be found in sub-Saharan Africa and cooking with charcoal and firewood is the norm within these camps. Not only does this harm the environment, it also causes health problems and premature deaths through indoor air pollution. Humanitarian efforts have therefore focussed on bringing modern energy cooking solutions to the camps by means of subsidies and concessions. A concession is a market-based financial mechanism in which companies bid to supply a clean cooking solution for a number of years based on a price capped at an affordable level for the camp population. The donor-led concession fund pays the difference between the capped price and the price of the successful bidder.

In order to promote the wider adoption of this critical solution with humanitarian contexts, this report seeks to update the concession concept. It reviews recent developments in clean cooking in displacement settings and examines the attitudes of different stakeholders towards concessions.  It brings a particular focus to the involvement of the private sector and how to incentivize companies to develop clean cooking solutions in displacement settings. It also looks at the opportunities for concessions in different locations, the key ingredients for success, the main risks and risk mitigation strategies, and contractual issues. Finally, it calls on donors to make interventions to develop the clean cooking concession further.

Commencing with the recent publication of Clean Cooking: Scaling Up with Crowdfunding and the Clean Cooking: Financing Appliances for End Users, the overall aim of the Financing Clean Cooking series is to generate more investment by identifying strategies to expand the adoption of clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa. The research into key trends, such as the business models of cookstove companies, investor types, pathways to technology scale-up and barriers to capital raising, provides a springboard for recommendations that can inform the actions of a diverse range of public and private stakeholders, particularly NGOs in sustainable development, clean energy donors and investors, and suppliers operating in the improved cookstove sector. The report calls upon donors in particular to make pivotal interventions in order to help scale up appliance financing and thereby stimulate market growth in the clean cooking sector.

Subsequent reports in the Financing Clean Cooking series, set to be published in the fourth quarter of 2021, will cover areas such as results-based financing and finance landscapes for clean cooking.

3 September 2021: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) announce a new partnership to unlock public and private investments towards affordable and sustainable energy access for all people in Africa, particularly in the Sahel.

Signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the UN Assistant-Secretary General and UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Bureau for Africa Director Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa, and Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, committed to mutual efforts to accelerate Africa’s resilience, recovery and development.

“Our vision for this partnership is to continue to promote and support bolder energy transition initiatives for the region and to demonstrate the viability of longer-term programs and investment readiness in the Sahel that will ultimately benefit millions of people in the region who currently do not have access to electricity and clean cooking solutions,” said Ms Ogunbiyi.

More than 53 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans – about 570 million people – do not have access to electricity, as highlighted by the World Bank. In the Sahel alone, over 51 per cent of the Sahelian population – some 175 million people, do not yet have access to electricity. Further, eighty per cent - or some 271 million people - do not have access to clean cooking. Limited and unpredictable power supplies combined with high electricity costs constrain the development of businesses and economic activities as fossil fuels and traditional biomass (charcoal, wood, dry dung fuel) remain the main energy sources - bearing severe consequences on the environment and human health.

Given the urgent need for action, SEforALL and UNDP teams have identified immediate areas for collaboration. By supporting the policy and regulatory frameworks and strengthening institutional capacity, this alliance aims to unlock public and private sector investment for off-grid rural electrification, amongst other initiatives.

“Sealing this partnership today will strengthen our actions in addressing one of the most pressing issues for all people living in Africa, particularly in the Sahel,” emphasized Ms Eziakonwa. “Affordable and sustainable access to energy is key to accelerating development. A great opportunity awaits to be tapped – to transform the Sahel, regenerating this land of immense opportunity and promise. Investing in energy in the Sahel will deliver dividends for children trying to earn an education, youth willing to access employment opportunities, women yearning to acquire new skills, and empower local authorities or businesses.”

The African continent, particularly the Sahel, has immense renewable energy potential but remains challenged by the high financing costs required to deploy clean energy solutions at scale. Investing in clean energy in the Sahel will increase human development, ensure structural economic transformation and socioeconomic progress, and address conflict triggers in the region. Increasing energy access in the Sahel will spur on catalytic investments, power the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of Sahelian men and women and bring renewed prospects to communities in the hinterlands and ungoverned spaces.

• The Energy Access Relief Fund — managed by SIMA — is an unprecedented partnership of 16 governments, foundations and investors and aims to provide essential financial support to energy access companies in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

1 September 2021: Today, a first-of-its-kind relief fund launched with a first close of $68 million and a target of over $80 million to protect energy access for at least 20 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The Energy Access Relief Fund (EARF) is the culmination of an unprecedented partnership convened by Acumen, including CDC Group, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), FMO, Green Climate Fund (GCF), Shell Foundation, IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), USAID, and Power Africa. The EARF, managed by Social Investment Managers and Advisors (SIMA), will provide relief capital in the form of short-term loans to an estimated 90 energy access companies in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia still struggling with disruptions wrought by COVID-19.

“Access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy is essential in lifting communities out of poverty. We could see that the pandemic was adversely impacting those who were most vulnerable, and that we needed to take action. We couldn’t do it alone — it would take all of us,” said Jacqueline Novogratz, Acumen’s Founder and CEO. “The launch of the EARF illustrates the power of partnership and moral imagination in a time of crisis.”

Broken supply chains, increased costs of solar components, and continued COVID lockdowns have crippled the energy access industry, which provides renewable energy solutions such as solar lanterns, household solar, mini-grids, and modern energy cooking equipment to customers in low-income and last-mile communities. A coalition of committed global investors and donors created the Fund to protect the industry’s progress toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7: universal energy access. 

“Together, CDC, DFC, and FMO are mobilizing our capital to ensure the survival of small and medium social enterprises extending energy access to the 800 million people living without power. The EARF’s flexible and innovative financial structure blends different types of capital to offer low-interest loans and liquidity while the health and economic consequences of the pandemic continue,” said Geoff Manley, Head of the Energy Access and Efficiency team at CDC Group.

SIMA’s analysis of energy access companies eligible for relief funding across 50 countries shows that 77% of potential borrowers require emergency financial assistance to stay afloat. Without it, many companies may be forced to take drastic measures such as pausing operations, laying off staff, or permanently closing their doors, which would disrupt energy access for customers at a particularly difficult time. 

“We have innovated to create a robust underwriting approach that allows us to rapidly provide relief loans to companies that most need our support during the crisis. We have also implemented into our investment approach a comprehensive ESG process, including developing a gender action plan and supporting the companies to deal with COVID-19 challenges,” said Asad Mahmood, the CEO of SIMA, the EARF Fund Manager. 

The EARF is an extraordinary example of stakeholders uniting in crisis, even as budgets were constrained and investments were at risk. “We have proudly worked alongside IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, IFC, U.K. Aid, USAID, and the World Bank to leverage our collective grant capital to de-risk and catalyze senior investors in the Relief Fund. Small-scale renewable energy enterprises and innovators are scrambling to serve some of the world’s poorest communities. We hope similar collaborations follow this sector landmark — much more capital will be needed in the coming months to continue progress toward universal energy access,” said Sam Parker, Director at Shell Foundation.

The Energy Access Relief Fund (EARF) aims to safeguard gains made in the once-booming energy access sector. In the last decade, the industry has grown six-fold, providing 470 million people with energy access, employing more than 370,000 in green jobs and avoiding 74 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. 

“The EARF is a critical tool to help us build back better and tackle climate change. It will ensure that social enterprises can continue to provide renewable energy solutions and advance climate mitigation and resilience across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia,” said Yannick Glemarec, Executive Director at the Green Climate Fund. “GCF is proud to be part of this innovative partnership, and delighted that it is moving ahead to launch.”

Through creativity, financial innovation, and fiscal discipline, the EARF intends to protect social enterprises that combat energy poverty and are leading the renewable energy transition across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. 

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About the Energy Access Relief Fund: The Energy Access Relief Fund (EARF) is a first-of-its-kind collaboration among major donors and investors in the energy access sector to address the liquidity crunch that energy access enterprises face because of the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. With a target of $80 million, the EARF aims to provide subordinated, low-interest debt to more than 90 energy access companies in need in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. It is a global partnership of 16 governments, foundations, and investors, including Acumen, CDC Group, FMO, Green Climate Fund (GCF), IKEA Foundation, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Power Africa, Shell Foundation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Social Investment Managers and Advisors (SIMA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), The Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), U.K. Aid, and World Bank Group. The EARF is also part of the 2021 Roadmap of the World Economic Forum’s COVID Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship that mobilizes support for social entrepreneurs who are making a difference on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis.

About Acumen: Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty. We invest patient capital in inclusive, early-stage social enterprises that serve people in poverty and enable them to transform their lives. We share our ethos, principles, and practices to train the next generation of leaders through Acumen Academy. We scale the most effective solutions to systemic poverty through for-profit, returnable impact funds, managed by Acumen Capital Partners, totaling more than $150 million. Founded in 2001 by Jacqueline Novogratz, Acumen has invested more than $137 million in 139 companies across Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and the United States. For more information, visit: www.acumen.org.

30 August 2021: The Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEEA) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to foster the renewable energy sector in Uganda and East Africa. The MoU sets out the shared goals of the two organisations and areas of collaboration through the identification and development of programmes and projects.

In view of the MoU, the associations will collaborate on several activities, including joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in Uganda to create a conducive market environment for decentralised renewable energy (DRE) actors, accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve renewable energy and energy access targets as well as developing joint publications, market briefs or research papers on related topics.

In this respect, the associations aim to cooperate on targeted skills development and capacity building activities for renewable energy stakeholders in Uganda to create local jobs and enhance the capacity of the sector to raise increased financing for renewable energy projects and businesses. This will be achieved by spearheading in-person or virtual “DRE Investment Academies” or similar trainings for Ugandan and international DRE project developers and other stakeholders, to provide additional fundraising and technical support.

Finally, the MoU states that the partners will support services for Ugandan renewable energy actors who work to address energy access, energy security and climate change challenges in Uganda and conduct research to improve the market for renewable energy technologies.

UNREEEA Chairman, Alexander Komakech Akena, said that: " It is a great opportunity to partner and work with ARE through this MoU. This opens a large door to learn, share, and leverage lessons from each other to develop Uganda’s renewable energy sector. Especially to leaving no one behind through universal energy access even as threats of a changing climate mounts. We are pleased with the step and look forward to great collaboration with ARE.’’

ARE CEO, David Lecoque, underlined that: “The MoU paves the way for positive cooperation between ARE and UNREEEA. This is an excellent opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other and work together to increase access to renewable energy and energy security as well as to curb the effects of climate change in Uganda and East Africa. We look forward to a strong collaboration with our friends and colleagues in Uganda.”

ARE Africa Lead, Gabriele Pammesberger, said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with UNREEEA to strengthen our collaboration towards the development of a thriving, inclusive and sustainable renewable energy sector in Uganda and accelerate access to clean and affordable energy that drives economic empowerment of rural communities. Based on shared values and objectives we are looking forward to closely cooperate in the areas of policy & advocacy, private sector business development support, innovation, and capacity building & skills development.”

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About Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE): The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is an international business association with the aim to promote a sustainable decentralised renewable energy industry for the 21st century, activating markets for affordable energy services, and creating local jobs and inclusive green economies. ARE enables improved energy access through business development support for more than 185 Members along the whole value chain for off-grid technologies.

About Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEEA): The Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEEA) is a coalition of industry associations within the renewable energy and energy efficiency space in Uganda. It was incorporated in 2015 to consolidate the voices of the many clean energy associations for the adoption of renewable energies.

UNREEEA aims at the enhancement of skills development and management, synergy and continuous improvement in policy and business environment through effective and constructive engagement with stakeholders. Thus, promoting sustainable economic development and the use of renewable energy solutions.

• Funding will enable SPS to offer cleaner, cheaper solar energy to more businesses across sub-Saharan Africa.

23 August 2021: Gridworks, the UK’s developer and investor in African electricity networks, and New GX, the South African investment firm, have today announced US$40 million of new investment in the Gridworks portfolio company, Sustainable Power Solutions Investments (“SPS”).

SPS works with commercial and industrial (C&I) clients across sub-Saharan Africa to fund, develop, build and operate solar power technologies, including battery storage, that provide consistent, affordable clean energy. SPS has over 45MW of solar and more than 15MWh of battery storage (in operation and under construction) in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Indian Ocean islands, spread across hospitality, telecoms, retail and other sectors.

The investment announced today also sees Gridworks (established by CDC, the UK’s DFI) become a majority shareholder in the company, while New GX, which is owned by the Pitje family trust, and represented by Khudusela Pitje, will replace current minority shareholders, Trigen Group and Genfin. Christo Wiese’s Titan Group will remain an investor in the business. The long-term funding provided by Gridworks and New GX will enable the company to deepen its presence in existing markets and expand across Sub-Saharan Africa. The company is targeting building an additional 100MW of projects. As part of New GX’s investment Khudusela Pitje and Carin van Woudenberg will join the SPS board.

Lack of reliable grid power has led to more than half of businesses in sub-Saharan Africa using diesel generation to ensure certainty of supply. With more than three quarters of total energy demand in Africa coming from commercial and industrial customers, the need is clear. Solar PV and battery storage solutions are increasingly providing a viable and cheaper alternative for many businesses that see the value in being able to benefit from greener, more consistent power. SPS is a leader in the sector and well-positioned to accelerate the use of solar energy with Gridworks’ and New GX’s support and capital.

The US$40m of new capital for SPS reflects Gridworks and New GX’s relative shareholdings in the company, with Gridworks committing $US22m and New GX US$18m. In addition, Gridworks is investing $9m to become a majority shareholder.  This brings Gridworks total commitment to SPS in this transaction to US$31m. The introduction of New GX will also bring the local empowerment ownership in the company above 42%.

Gridworks first invested in SPS (then known as Mettle Solar Investments) in late 2019. Since then, the company has built over 22MW of grid-tied projects in Southern Africa and Kenya and 4.2MW / 8.7MWh of islanded projects in the Seychelles, including some of the largest off-grid systems using Tesla’s Powerpack technology in Africa for its customers. Gridworks also appointed the experienced Kenyan businessman and former CEO of Kenya Airways, Mbuvi Ngunze as Chairman of SPS. In the last financial year, SPS’s operating plants reduced carbon emissions by more than 11.7 million kilogrammes.   

Announcing the new investment, Gridworks CEO Simon Hodson said:

“We’re delighted to become the majority shareholder in SPS and support the company in the next stage of its development. Since first investing in 2019, we’ve helped the company become one of only a small set of African developers operating sustainably to finance, build, and operate grid-tied and battery-backed, off-grid systems. We’re excited that New GX Capital have decided to invest in the business alongside us. They have a wealth of experience in long-term infrastructure investing and will be a strong partner who share our ambitions for SPS. Their investment and expertise will be invaluable as SPS expands into new markets across Africa.”

“Gridworks exists to increase the quantity and quality of power in Africa and our mandate covers transmission and distribution infrastructure, as well as off-grid solutions like SPS.  SPS, and the C&I sector as a whole, can provide green, reliable power to businesses that will go on to create jobs and economic opportunity.”

Khudusela Pitje, CEO of New GX Capital added:

“We are delighted to partner with SPS and Gridworks to unlock our renewable energy vision in the commercial & industrial sector across the continent. We will bring our in-depth knowledge as an infrastructure investor and increase SPS’s footprint in the telecoms and industrial sectors. We are driven by a sustainable tomorrow which we believe will also drive industrialisation within the continent.

“In South Africa, regulatory certainty is key to attracting capital.  We believe President Ramaphosa’s announcement for lifting the license requirements around100MW embedded energy opportunities will drive job creation (especially amongst the youth); private sector investment in the Telecoms sector; and indirectly assist utilities to generate additional capacity without government backed guarantees”

Francois Van Themaat, CEO of SPS said:

“We are thankful to Gridworks and CDC Group for their continued strong support of our business. Their initial investment was made just as the world went into lockdown due to the COVID pandemic and their support allowed us to grow our business rapidly during a very challenging period.

“During the last quarter we have consolidated our funding and engineering businesses under the single ‘Sustainable Power Solutions’ brand which, combined with the new capital injected by shareholders, will allow us to expand our fully integrated solar PV and battery storage offering across Sub Saharan Africa. 

“We look forward to working closely with Khudusela Pitje and the New GX team to move the business to the next level. They have bought into our overall vision for the company, and we are eager to learn from their experiences in building infrastructure businesses.”

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About Gridworks: Gridworks develops and invests in Africa’s electricity networks. Wholly owned and capitalised by CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, Gridworks aims to invest over US$300m of long-term capital in commercially sustainable infrastructure businesses, bringing affordable, reliable power to Africa’s people and its businesses.

Gridworks targets equity investments in transmission, distribution and distributed renewable energy, and is a partner to governments, utilities, and companies in the power sector. Despite recent investment and improvements in electricity generation, the lack of progress in developing transmission and distribution infrastructure is a significant bottleneck to economic development across Africa. Gridworks was launched in 2019 to play its part in tackling this challenge.

Alongside its investment in SPS, Gridworks recently created Moyi Power. Moyi will develop, build and operate hybrid-solar power generation and distribution infrastructure in the DRC.

About New GX: New GX Capital is a 100% black owned and managed investment holding company (indigenous investors owned), founded in 2005 by former JPMorgan banker Khudusela Pitje, son of HM Pitje. New GX is a diversified business focused on utilities infrastructure, 4PL and supply chain technology solutions. New GX, co-founding partner of DFA in 2007, has led the transformation of the telecoms sector benefitting RSA manufacturing and SMMEs. It is now seeking to make an impact on the energy sector in Africa.

New GX is also a proud supporter of the HM Pitje Foundation which drives its CSI vision of transforming township schools and empowering/educating scholars for the future.

About SPS: SPS Investments previously operated under the ‘Mettle Solar’ brand. We provide innovative funding to give businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa access to high quality solar and battery solutions. In 2015, we acquired a 50% interest in Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), one of Southern Africa’s leading solar engineering firms.

This acquisition allowed us to provide seamless funding and engineering solutions to our clients, all within one group. Since 2021, Mettle Solar and Sustainable Power Solutions started to conduct their respective businesses under the single ‘Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS)’ brand.

14 August 2021: The African Development Bank has reached financial close on financing agreements for a $20 million concessional investment from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) for the Covid-19 Off-Grid Recovery Platform (CRP). The 5-year, $50 million blended finance initiative is designed to provide relief and recovery capital to energy access businesses, supporting them through and beyond the pandemic.

The concessional loan agreements were signed with fund managers Lion’s Head Global Partners, Triple Jump, and Social Investment Managers and Advisors, following approval by the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank in December 2020 for a $20 million concessional investment from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), to establish the platform.

“Lion’s Head is immensely grateful for the support from the AfDB, in particular the SEFA team and funders, for developing this innovative and catalytic co-investment instrument. African markets have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 due to lack of infrastructure, macro vulnerabilities especially in terms of currency and credit shocks and increasing global protectionism,” said Harry Guinness, Managing Director of the Off-Grid Energy Access Fund, part of the wider Facility for Energy Inclusion.

“The COVID-19 Off-Grid Recovery Platform comes at a critical moment for early-stage energy access companies affected by COVID-19 and allows the Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund to continue releasing flexible capital into the sector at a time when risk capital is increasingly scarce”, said Jan-Henrik Kuhlmann, Head of Sustainable Energy at Triple Jump.

The Platform supports businesses commercializing solar home systems, green mini-grids, clean cooking, and other renewable energy access solutions in mitigating the impacts of the pandemic and ensuring a robust commercial recovery of the industry.

Asad Mahmood, CEO and Managing Partner of Social Investment Managers and Advisors, said: “Many small businesses have suffered seriously during the COVID-19 crisis. The African Development Bank’s relief efforts are market-driven and flexible and will help to leverage existing funds to ultimately assist energy distribution business in Africa.”

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is jeopardizing the immense progress that has been achieved over the last decade in electrification through off-grid technologies across Africa. We are pleased that this initiative will increase resilience of the sector and look forward to working closely with our partners to safeguard energy access services and enable continued business expansion through and beyond the crisis,” said Joao Duarte Cunha, Division Manager for Renewable Energy at the African Development Bank.

Through this Platform and other renewable energy initiatives, the African Development Bank is committed to building a sustainable and more climate-resilient future by catalysing private investment in low carbon infrastructure as a means to create green jobs, diversify national energy sectors, accelerate green growth, and increase the climate resilience of rural communities.

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About SEFA: SEFA is an African Development Bank-managed special fund providing catalytic finance for renewable energy. SEFA’s overarching goal is to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, in line with the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa and Sustainable Development Goal 7. SEFA was established in 2011 in partnership with the Government of Denmark and has since received contributions from the Governments of United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, Nordic Development Fund and Germany. SEFA is housed in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department (PERN) under the Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth (PEVP) complex.

28 July 2021: Bboxx, a next generation utility, is partnering via a first-of-a-kind joint venture with Geocoton Advens Group as part of Bboxx’s market entry into Burkina Faso. This is the first step in a long-term strategic partnership that will see the two companies in the future expand clean energy into other countries.

The Burkina Faso government has ambitious plans to ramp up energy access, with electrification rates currently at 18%, falling to 5% for the rural population¹. Through this partnership, Bboxx and Geocoton Advens Group aim to positively impact the lives of 2 million people in Burkina Faso through access to clean, reliable and affordable energy. They will employ more than 500 people locally, spurring economic development and local opportunities.  

Bboxx will be implementing its tried and tested model, having brought tech-enabled off-grid energy to countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its comprehensive management platform Bboxx Pulse® enables it to scale energy access to places previously considered too difficult or expensive to reach via traditional grid infrastructure.  

The Geocoton Advens Group has been established in Burkina Faso, as in other countries of West and Central Africa, for more than 70 years. It has enabled the development of cotton cultivation by small village farmers, its industrial transformation and its export. It is also very active in the valuation of cotton by-products. It draws on its local expertise and its network of more than 350,000 cotton producers, who have substantial energy needs. 

Together they’re targeting energy provision in this established cotton farming market, the wider value chain and distribution networks within these communities, and the broader Burkina Faso population. This comes as instability and insecurity in East and Northeast Burkina Faso is having a big impact on people’s livelihoods². Bboxx will still be able to provide vital energy access in these areas due to Geocoton Advens Group’s operations in this area, enabling people to generate an income. Despite the pandemic, demand for energy – an essential need – has been strong.  

As well as its Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Solar Home Systems (SHS), Bboxx will look to introduce additional services in the future like PAYG LPG clean cooking services and solar-powered water pumps for farmers. SHS are more affordable than alternative polluting options. Customers only pay for what they use, which is important for a country where 43% of the population live on less than $1.90 a day³.  

Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder of Bboxx, commented: “While energy access rates in Burkina Faso are very low, the potential to positively impact people’s lives for the better through clean energy is immense. Forging strategic partnerships is core to how we bring together the financing and momentum required to provide millions of people with much-needed clean energy. This market entry is the first of many, and we’ve got an exciting pipeline of activity ahead of us on our mission to transform lives through access to energy. 

“As we gear up to COP26, we cannot let our foot off the gas if we are to make meaningful progress on meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 – clean energy for all. Now is the time for even more collaboration, innovation and action. Across the globe, the ‘build back better’ agenda has taken centre stage – but to truly accelerate greener and fairer economic development, we need to bring people out of energy poverty.”  

Karim Ait Talb, COO of Geocoton Advens Group said: “The Geocoton Advens Group is delighted to diversify with its partner Bboxx in the provision of solar energy. This aligns with our desire to improve the living conditions of village cotton producers. Providing renewable energy to the rural population is a major challenge, so it is important we take advantage of the technological progress by Bboxx. Bboxx’s innovative technology and proven approach to expanding access to clean energy is something we’re excited to be a part of – and we have been impressed with their progress to date across Africa.  

“Together we will help to tackle the challenges faced by many in Burkina Faso. We will help to provide millions of people with energy needed to create greater economic opportunities for farmers and the population of Burkina Faso. We are also looking forward to expanding our partnership with Bboxx into other countries.”  

Sources: 

1 Burkina Faso electrification rates, World Bank;

2 Sahel Crisis: Humanitarian Needs and Requirements Overview (April 2021), Relief Web;

3 Burkina Faso Poverty & Equity Brief, World Bank.

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About Bboxx: Bboxx is a next generation utility, transforming lives and unlocking potential through access to energy. Bboxx manufactures, distributes and finances decentralised solar powered systems in developing countries. It is scaling through forging strategic partnerships and its innovative technology Bboxx Pulse®, a comprehensive management platform using IoT technology. Through affordable, reliable, and clean utility provision, Bboxx is bringing people into the digital economy, creating new markets, and enabling economic development in off-grid communities and those living without a reliable grid connection. The company is positively impacting the lives of nearly 2 million people with its products and services in over 27 markets, directly contributing to 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

So far, Bboxx has deployed more than 500,000 solar home systems. Bboxx has over 1000 staff across nine offices including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and Togo, with its head office in the UK and its manufacturing operations in China. In 2019, Bboxx was the winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Energy category – testament to the way the company is making a meaningful difference to people’s lives around the world. For more information, visit: https://www.bboxx.com/.

About Geocoton Advens Group: As a fully-integrated operator, the ADVENS Group operates “from the soil to the consumer”. Through GEOCOTON, (former DAGRIS and CFDT) and its subsidiaries, the Group operates across the entire cotton industry from production to marketing, going through processing, logistics and transportation; it has a fully-independent structure across the whole chain. Nowadays, GEOCOTON is operating in more than 15 countries, mainly in Central and West Africa.

22 July 2021: ARE Member PowerGen, the leading developer in Africa of on-grid and off-grid distributed energy, has secured long term project financing to connect 55,000 people to electricity in rural Nigeria from ARE Member CrossBoundary Energy Access with construction financing provided by Oikocredit, Triodos Investment Management (Triodos IM) and ARE Member EDFI ElectriFI (the EU-funded Electrification Financing Initiative). The project is supported by grant funding from the World Bank and the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency’s Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), which provides a fixed grant for each customer connected. The electricity will be provided by 28 distributed renewable energy (DRE) systems, designed as solar PV and battery-powered mini-grids.

Oikocredit, Triodos IM, and EDFI ElectriFI are acting as the construction financiers for the transaction, providing $9m of financing for the construction phase of the project. Once operational, CBEA will purchase the portfolio, becoming the long-term owner of the systems and providing the construction financiers with an exit.

CBEA’s ‘take-out at completion’ transaction structure allows the construction financiers to segment their investment to the construction phase, and CBEA as an asset owner to segment its investment to the long-term operations phase. This is a first for mini-grids in Africa at this scale and shows how innovative financing structures can bring private capital into the sector.

PowerGen will build the systems and continue to act as the long-term operator of the project after the transfer to CBEA. The project will serve a base of residential, commercial and productive use customers.

PowerGen has already commissioned 6 sites, including the pilot site, Rokota, which was the first to be commissioned under the NEP Performance Based Grant (PBG) program. The financing will be used to develop and build the remaining sites in the portfolio.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, but is plagued by poor energy access, particularly in rural areas, where only 25% of people have access to electricity. This has led many to turn to fossil-fueled alternatives, like diesel generators and kerosene. The result is poor air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise pollution. Together, these represent an undue burden on the health of rural populations, who are already marginalized.

The long-term funding from the CBEA finance facility and the construction financing from Oikocredit, Triodos Groenfonds, Hivos-Triodos Fund (both managed by Triodos IM), and EDFI ElectriFI makes possible an alternative to harmful sources of power. The DRE systems developed as a result will provide clean, reliable electricity to 55,000 people and will mitigate over 2,000 MT CO2e annually, which is equivalent to removing 500 cars from the road per year. PowerGen’s service further empowers communities to increase local economic activity by reducing the cost of power and increasing access to productive power, which enables agricultural processing to be mechanize, the use of power equipment such as welding machines and electric cooking appliances, and enabling electric mobility. These benefits are critical as low-income individuals manage the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The transaction is facilitated by CBEA’s project finance structure, which proves a model for bringing long-term infrastructure capital into the mini-grid sector at scale. The systems are being built into a special purpose vehicle (SPV) which will be fully acquired by CBEA once the systems have met the pre-agreed technical standards. Oikocredit, Triodos IM, and EDFI ElectriFI are able to provide construction financing because they have a contracted exit from a long-term financier. Once CBEA becomes the owner of the project, PowerGen will step into a long-term contract to operate and maintain the assets and provide customer service. 

PowerGen, Oikocredit, Triodos IM, and EDFI ElectriFI were advised in the transaction by Trinity LLP. CBEA was advised by Foley Hoag LLP.

Alastair Smith, Co-founder and Country Director of PowerGen in Nigeria: “We're very excited to continue scaling up distributed renewable energy systems in Nigeria in partnership with Oikocredit, Triodos IM, EDFI ElectriFI, and CBEA.  With their support, alongside that of Nigeria's REA, the World Bank, Power Africa’s Nigeria Power Sector Program, and the communities themselves, we are eager to continuing transforming lives through smarter power."

Humphrey Wireko, Associate Principal, CrossBoundary Energy Access: “We’re excited to work with such strong partners to reach an agreement to finance and own this portfolio of mini-grids in Nigeria. We continue to believe that mini-grids are a key tool for bringing power to over 200 million people in Africa, and this project finance structure is the best way to attract the $187 billion of investment that these assets need. This transaction is a testament to the fantastic work being done by many stakeholders to help facilitate off-grid investment in Nigeria. We see this as the first of many such financings that CBEA plans to do in Nigeria.”

James Todd, Oikocredit’s Renewable Energy Investment Officer: “We are extremely proud to partner with PowerGen, Triodos IM, EDFI ElectriFI, and CBEA at the forefront of innovative solutions to rural energy access. Renewable energy mini-grids have enormous potential to provide safe, clean and reliable energy to millions currently experiencing energy poverty, supporting productive use of electricity and in turn stimulating fundamental development in rural communities. This project, benefitting 55,000 people, forms a key tenet of our long term commitment to supporting leading mini-grid developers across Africa while achieving higher social impact in communities we serve.”

Estefanía Matesanz, Senior Investment Manager Private Equity, Triodos IM: “This equity investment in PowerGen’s Mini-Grids project can be considered a landmark investment with major strategic importance both for Triodos IM and the African Mini-Grids sector development. The success of this investment results from the combined expertise, creativity and synergies created by PowerGen together with Oikocredit, EDFI ElectriFI, Triodos IM, and CBEA. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the access to energy in emerging countries with clean and affordable technologies through this deal.”  

Quentin Antoine, Senior Investment Manager at EDFI Management Company: “EDFI ElectriFI is thrilled to join such a strong group of investors backing visionary entrepreneurs who will positively impact thousands of households and local businesses in rural Nigeria. This is an important milestone for rural electrification in Nigeria as we aim for big impact by phasing-out thousands of diesel generators and build a reliable and renewable source of electricity for 11,000 rural households and entrepreneurs. This investment is the perfect illustration of EDFI ElectriFI’ s mandate, successfully achieved thanks to a strong partnership with the Delegation of the European Union in Nigeria and innovative solutions delivered by the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency.”

20 July 2021: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Cameroonian Association for Renewable Energies (ACER) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE). The MoU sets out the shared goals of the two organisations to address the existing obstacles which hinder the optimal use of the various renewable energies and the potential for energy efficiency in Cameroon. Both organisations agreed upon collaborating on promoting social and economic development by increasing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix in Central Africa and particularly Cameroon.

The associations will work together on a number of activities, including joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in Cameroon to create a conducive market environment for decentralised renewable energy (DRE) actors, accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve renewable energy targets as well as targeted business development and market intelligence support for DRE companies.

In this regard, the associations aim to develop the capacity of renewable energy stakeholders in Cameroon to create local jobs and enhance the capacity of the sector to raise increased financing for renewable energy projects and businesses. This will be achieved by spearheading in-person or virtual “DRE Investment Academies” or similar trainings for Cameroonian and international DRE developers and other stakeholders, with the aim to provide additional fundraising and technical support.

Finally, the MoU states that the partners will deliver joint offers and support services for renewable energy actors working in Cameroon, to address energy access, energy security and climate change challenges, as well as conduct applied research to foster the market for renewable energy technologies.

David Lecoque, CEO of ARE said: “Together with renewable energy associations like ACER, we look to facilitate greater understanding of the needs of and find solutions for DRE developers and stakeholders, end-users, and the public to achieve SDG-7. This cooperation is an outcome of the virtual study tours that ARE organises with Solar Power Europe and National Renewable Energy Associations, supported by the European Programme GET.invest. The new MoU with ACER sets out concrete steps forward to expand clean and affordable energy access in Cameroon.”

Gérard Ntchouabia, President of ACER said: “On behalf of ACER and myself, we are pleased to have signed this partnership with ARE, which will contribute to the development and structuring of renewable energy in Cameroon and Central Africa. ACER is in its role to serve as a bridge to all members of ARE in the development of their renewable energy projects and access to energy in Cameroon and in the Central African sub-region. We are certain and convinced that our population will benefit from this partnership including our institutions and SMEs that operate in this field.”

Gabriele Pammesberger, Africa Lead of ARE said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with ACER to jointly support the development of a sustainable and inclusive private sector-driven DRE sector in Cameroon and to contribute to improved access to clean, affordable energy and to the transition to a green, climate-resilient economy. Knowledge exchange, skills development and capacity building will lie at the heart of our partnership and will contribute to local market development and job creation.” 

14 July 2021: CGAP, GOGLA, and IFC/Lighting Global today launched the PAYGo Performance, Reporting and Measurement (PAYGo PERFORM) financial reporting framework for the pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar industry. Developed through an industry-led process involving roughly 600 stakeholders, the framework represents a significant step toward helping this promising young industry improve performance, present an accessible profile to investors, and attract the capital it needs to lift millions of people out of energy poverty.

The PAYGo PERFORM framework includes a set of 36 key performance indicators (KPIs) that stand to enable the PAYGo industry to clearly communicate financial performance, operational performance, and portfolio quality to investors.

“The PERFORM KPIs are an important and well-thought-out step to improve financial reporting and operating benchmarks, as our industry is made up of young companies with evolving business models,” said Shagun Jain, commercial director at PAYGo solar company Rural Spark and one of the stakeholders who was involved in developing the new framework.

“Now is the ideal time for the industry to introduce common reporting standards and increase transparency to attract further investment from the existing and potential new investors. We are very proud of being actively involved in the whole process and looking forward to the industry adopting them,” he said.

The PAYGo industry emerged roughly a decade ago as off-grid solar companies in Africa and Asia looked for ways to make home solar systems more accessible to households that could not afford to buy them upfront. With PAYGo, customers acquire a home solar system for a low upfront cost and pay it off over time by digitally prepaying for usage — similar to the way mobile phone users prepay for airtime. There is no collateral and no fixed payment schedule. When prepaid usage runs out, the system simply shuts off. After purchasing enough units of energy usage, customers own the system and may continue using it at no cost.

“These features make PAYGo uniquely suited to low-income households with irregular incomes and little to no savings,” said Russell Sturm, global head of energy access at IFC Lighting Global, the World Bank Group’s platform to support sustainable growth of the international off-grid solar market.

Koen Peters, executive director of the global off-grid solar energy industry association GOGLA, said that PAYGo companies have already clearly proven their potential in addressing energy poverty and financial exclusion. However, to fully use that potential, this industry segment will need to scale much further, and the PAYGo PERFORM KPIs will be critical to achieving this scale:

“By 2020, PAYGo companies had reached an estimated 27 million people who were not served by traditional utilities and financial services providers before. But to keep growing and reach millions more low-income households, the industry needs a lot of capital investment. The lack of a standardized reporting framework has made it difficult for mainstream investors to analyze companies’ performance and channel capital to them. With the PAYGo Perform KPIs, we're seeking to address exactly that, removing one more barrier towards the sector's growth,” he said.

While the PAYGo PERFORM KPIs should help investors identify sustainable businesses best set to scale the extension of clean, reliable energy to poor communities, the benefits of PAYGo extend beyond energy access and climate change.

“Low-income households in rural areas aren’t just off grid. They’re also one of the hardest populations to reach with financial services. PAYGo companies are bringing digital payments to rural communities and giving people a compelling reason to use these services. There’s an important financial inclusion aspect to PAYGo solar,” said Xavier Faz, lead of business models research at CGAP, a global partnership of organizations working to advance financial inclusion.

CGAP, GOGLA, and IFC Lighting Global encourage all PAYGo companies and investors in the space to adopt the PAYGo PERFORM KPIs. To learn more, visit www.findevgateway.org/paygo-perform-kpis.

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About CGAP: CGAP is a global partnership of more than 30 leading development organizations that works to advance the lives of poor people, especially women, through financial inclusion. Using action-oriented research, it tests, learns and shares knowledge intended to help build inclusive and responsible financial systems that move people out of poverty, protect their economic gains and advance broader development goals. For more information, visit: https://www.cgap.org/.

About GOGLA: GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. It is proud to champion one of the world’s most innovative and impactful sectors. It works to promote, safeguard, and convene the industry, advocating for enabling policies and increased investment as well as supporting our 200+ members with effective services. For more information, visit: https://www.gogla.org/the-voice-of-the-off-grid-solar-energy-industry.

About IFC Lighting Global: IFC Lighting Global is the World Bank Group’s platform to support sustainable growth of the international off-grid solar market as a means of rapidly increasing energy access to the 789 million people living without electricity. For more information, visit: https://www.lightingglobal.org/.

8 July 2021: Several sustainable and clean energy projects will receive a total funding of half a million euros through the A2E Fund. Initiatives could benefit more than 30,000 people.

Solar energy is a common element in the seven projects that EDP, through the A2E (Access to Energy) Fund, will support in five countries in Africa: Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and Malawi. From refrigeration systems for fish and fruit in local markets to the electrification of schools and health centers, or the supply of technologies that make it possible to desalinate water, all projects are based on the same renewable energy source: the sun.

The proposals selected in this third edition of the fund – from a total of 115 applications – now have a global funding of half a million euros, with which EDP intends to promote access to clean energy in remote and deprived regions, and thus helping to fight energy poverty in these territories. As in previous editions, the A2E Fund invests in initiatives in five priority areas – education, health, agriculture, companies and community – and values assessment criteria such as social impact, partnerships, sustainability, potential for expansion and financial viability.

Mozambique and Nigeria are the countries with the most projects in this edition, two each. In the first case, the projects to be funded are by the Luwire Wildlife Conservancy, which involves the creation of a solar system to power basic services for the local population and the irrigation of agricultural fields, and Viva con Agua by Sankt Pauli, which intends to give access to drinking water through desalination technology. In the case of Nigeria, both proposals involve refrigeration systems: Koolboks wants to install them in eight markets for fish sellers in the Lagos area and ColdHubs plans to create them to support a community of women farmers.

OffGridBox is the project that will be funded in Rwanda and aims to provide energy and clean water to six refugee camps. ADDP Angola wants to abandon diesel generators, replacing them with a renewable energy system to supply schools. Finally, the DAAP Malawi project is directly aimed at supplying a vocational school with electricity from a solar platform.

The A2E Fund thus continues the program started in 2018 that has already contributed a total of one million euros to 13 projects that have helped improving the lives of 65 thousand people and, indirectly, of about one million. Each of the projects in this new edition received between 25 thousand and 100 thousand euros, and it is estimated that its development can have a direct positive impact on the lives of 16 thousand people and also indirectly benefit more than 15 thousand people in these territories.

With this initiative, EDP reinforces its commitment to the sustainability of the planet, renewable energies and the need to fight poverty and lack of electric energy that still affect the lives of millions of people, especially in remote and poor rural communities in developing countries. Therefore, supporting these projects is a decisive contribution to guaranteeing a more sustainable, inclusive and fair future, in line with the company's own ambition to be fully green by 2030 and to reinforce its commitment to society.

The mission of each project:

• It's called OffGridBox and it aims to provide energy and clean water to six refugee camps in Rwanda. The project involves the installation of a 'box' in each of these communities that includes solar battery kits, LED lighting, a telephone charger and a container to collect purified water. Through this system, its users will be able to perform basic day-to-day tasks and also support other productive activities. It is estimated that the project will benefit at least 12,000 people.
• Access to clean, potable water is one of the difficulties that the Viva con Agua project in Sankt Pauli hopes to overcome with a solar energy powered water desalination technology. Designed to benefit around 350 families in the Mozambican region of Catuane – and, in particular, the community's primary school – this system will allow 750 students to receive free clean water and another 750 people to purchase it at affordable prices.
• The main focus of the Luwire Wildlife Conservancy is to improve the quality of life, education, agriculture and nutrition of a community in the Niassa region of Mozambique. The project aims to create a basic solar energy infrastructure that serves the school, health center, agricultural irrigation system and also allows better lighting and facilitates electrical charging of equipment, from simple mobile phones to water purification systems or medicine and vaccines preservation. At least 380 people will be directly impacted by this initiative.
• Sellers in markets in the region of Lagos, Nigeria, lose about 30% of their fish due to the lack of adequate conditions to preserve fresh items. This is the challenge that the Koolboks project intends to overcome with the creation of a refrigeration system that helps the activity of these women: in total, 150 Koolhome solar coolers are planned to be installed in eight markets, impacting around 120 saleswomen. In addition to fish, other perishable products such as meat or vegetables can be kept safe with this system.
• One of the purposes of the ColdHubs project in Nigeria is to avoid wasting food because there are no refrigeration systems. With this system, women who sell fresh products (such as fruit or vegetables) will be able to prolong the life of these foods from two to 21 days, thus guaranteeing safer products and an improvement in the conditions and results of the business itself. The refrigeration systems to be created are powered by solar energy and directly impact the activity of 300 farmers and small traders.
• ADDP Angola's project has the mission to replace diesel generators, which are highly polluting and have very high costs, with a renewable energy system to supply two schools in communities in the provinces of Bié and Cubango. With the installation of solar systems in these rural areas, around 420 children will have access to better (and longer) teaching conditions. Training sessions on how to maintain and manage these energy systems are also planned.
• The DAAP Malawi project wants to create a solar energy system to supply a vocational training school with around 500 students. This will result in an increase in school hours (even when there is no longer natural light) and easier access to the internet, which is an additional factor of motivation for the students. In addition, the school will also provide training in the area of energy and electrification. The direct beneficiaries of this project are around one thousand, but indirectly it can impact 10,000 people in the Mikolongwe region.

All projects selected by the A2E Fund can be seen here.

6 July 2021: The Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $170.9 million in financing for the African Development Bank’s Leveraging Energy Access Finance Framework (LEAF) program.  LEAF aims to unlock commercial and local-currency financing for decentralized renewable energy (DRE)  projects in six program countries: Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia.

The Green Climate Fund’s financing is part of an overall $900 million program budget whose objective is to scale up roll-out of mini-grids, solar home systems, and commercial and industrial solar solutions in the program countries.

Tony Clamp, acting Director of GCF’s Private Sector Facility, said, “GCF is delighted to partner with the African Development Bank to support this timely and critical program for decentralised renewable energy across these six African countries. Green Climate Fund’s commitment will help unlock much-needed commercial capital and local currency financing to help overcome financing barriers exacerbated by Covid-19.”

Under LEAF, Africa’s abundant solar resources will be harnessed to provide renewable energy to 6 million people and businesses, and will also prevent 28.8 million tonnes in CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the systems.  

By deploying credit enhancement instruments and technical assistance, LEAF will strengthen capital markets and crowd-in private sector investors, including local financial institutions, thereby enhancing their financial and technical capacity to finance businesses in the fast growing DRE market segment comprising of solar home systems, green mini-grids, and solar solutions for commercial and industrial sectors. The program will also provide requisite support to strengthen the enabling environment and increase private sector investment in this market segment.

“GCF’s approval of LEAF is a significant boost for the African Development Bank’s twin ambitions of accelerating electricity access and supporting the transition to clean energy on the continent using decentralized renewable energy solutions, and moreover facilitated through local financing,”  said Dr. Kevin Kariuki, the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth.

5 July 2021: RES4African Foundation and EnGreen signed an agreement to jointly boost the promotion of renewable energy solutions in Africa. The Rome-based Foundation and the service provider signed a letter of intent identifying training and capacity building, advocacy and knowledge sharing as main fields of cooperation. 

Since 2012, the no-profit Foundation RES4Africa gathers members across the green energy value chain with the mission to create enabling environments for renewable energy investments in African countries. On the other hand, EnGreen is a network of qualified professionals providing advisory, design and execution services on off-grid renewable energy systems in developing countries, including several African states. The clear synergies among their goals and missions bring the two organisations to confirm their intentions as partners. In particular, they agreed on sharing knowledge and expertise relating to renewable energy technological advancements, policies, innovative business models and best practices; carrying out studies of market, commercial, technical and economic nature related to RE technologies green hydrogen, energy transition, grid access and renewable energy integration; organising outreach and advocacy initiatives, such as events, conferences and webinars; collaborating in the organization and promotion of training and capacity building initiatives for local workforce development, such as the RES4Africa’s Micro-Grid Academy programme.

“Supporting Africa in achieving universal access to energy by 2030 means empowering local workforce and building new generations of skilled professionals, committed in creating a sustainable future.” commented Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa’s Secretary General “At RES4Africa, we are proud to stand with Africa in this path, and doing so in collaboration with other innovative entities such as Engreen brings us closer to this goal”.

“We believe in a multi-sector action to deploy viable solutions for sustainable development” commented Carlo Tacconelli, EnGreen CEO, “and, according to this approach, long-lasting collaborations working at different level of the RE value chain are crucial to achieve tangible results on energy access.”

2 July 2021: EnDev is launching a renewables project in partnership with the IKEA Foundation on 6 July at the Vienna Energy Forum. This three-year project aims to empower the agricultural sector by working closely with smallholder farmers, agri-businesses and solar enterprises in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

The IKEA Foundation has provided an €8 milliongrant to support EnDev’s efforts to demonstrate the feasibility of productive use of renewable energy.Through the initiative, the IKEA Foundation and EnDev join forces to improve access to renewable energy solutions. In turn, this can enable smallholder farmers and people in rural communities to afford a better life and increase their resilience to climate change.

Upcoming pilot projects will include work on agricultural activities such as milk cooling and vegetable drying and the development of an energy hub.

Jeffrey Prins, Head of Renewable Energy at the IKEA Foundation, says: “Investing in access to renewable energy will not only help improve livelihood opportunities and increase incomes, but also reduce GHG emissions. A lack of access to sustainable and affordable energy prevents smallholder farmers and related local businesses from achieving increased productivity, higher income and food-secure livelihoods. This is why EnDev is needed, and we’re proud to fund this project.”

In Sub-Saharan Africa, most food crops are produced by an estimated 33 million smallholding farms, yet yields are the lowest in the world. Most of those smallholder farmers living on less than 1.90 USD per day are situated in rural areas and dependent on agriculture. At the same time, climate change impacts in Africa increase disproportionately.

“Solar energy is still underused in the agricultural sector because there are too few scalable business cases. It is great that together with the private sector and its experience, we can drive even more innovation in the agricultural sector,” says Daniel Busche, programme director at EnDev.

The project builds on the success of EnDev, which, since its inception in 2005, has provided 23.8 million people in developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with sustainable energy access and reduced 2.3 million tonnes of CO2e.

Implementation of impactful business cases will be jointly handled by the Gesellschaft fuer international Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Attend the project launch online:

The project launch takes place at the Vienna Energy Forum 2021 during a side event on 6 July, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (CET). See https://www.viennaenergyforum.org.

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About the IKEA Foundation: The IKEA Foundation is an independent philanthropy focused on creating brighter lives on a liveable planet through its grant giving efforts. It is funded by INGKA Foundation, owner of Ingka Group. For more information, visit: www.ikeafoundation.org.

About EnDev: EnDev improves the lives of the most vulnerable by providing access to sustainable energy in 21 countries worldwide. Currently, EnDev is funded by Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland and coordinated jointly by GIZ and RVO.nl. The strategic partnership is working with experienced implementers with the SNV being one of the most prominent partners. For more information, visit: www.endev.info.