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Where’s the Capital for Home-Grown Companies? Why Energy Access Investments in Kenya Need to Go Local
So far this year, 75% of global investment commitments in off-grid solar technology have gone to just three companies — a troubling trend since 2012. And as Kevin Johnstone at the International Institute for Environment and Development points out, many of the founders of the biggest solar companies are North American or European. Focusing on Kenya, he explores why the energy access sector needs more businesses founded, managed and run by local entrepreneurs, and what needs to be done to align investors and capital markets with Kenyan investment opportunities.
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Lack of Capital is Just the Beginning: Why Roof-Top Solar is Facing Greater Challenges Than Many People Think
The solar energy sector is dynamic and growing – but as Rik Teeuwen at Footlight International points out, it's also unsettled, as off-grid solar players navigate challenges ranging from lack of finance to inconsistent regulation. In light of those issues, he pushes back on the argument, expressed by candi solar CEO Philippe Flamand on NextBillion earlier this year, that rooftop solar is a “no-brainer” for micro, small and medium enterprises. The truth, he says, is far more nuanced.
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African Development Bank Launches $50 Million Facility to Support Energy Businesses in Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB) board of directors has approved a $20 million concessional investment from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to establish the COVID-19 Off-Grid Recovery Platform (CRP).
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Energy, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: Panda Partners With Lion’s Head Global Partners
Solar Panda Corporation, a company selling PAYGo solar home systems in Kenya, has secured a loan from FEI-OGEF, the African Development Bank’s flagship Off-Grid Energy Access Fund managed by Lion’s Head Global Partners. OGEF becomes a new syndicate lender, augmenting an existing $15 million framework deal with Lendable.
- Categories
- Energy
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Zambian Startup Widenergy Raises New Funding to Scale Its Impact
Zambian startup WidEnergy, a woman-led for-profit social enterprise dedicated to female empowerment and the expansion of affordable energy access, has raised a new round of funding to help scale its impact.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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State Plans to Police Solar Industry with Tough Rules in Kenya
The government plans to widen surveillance of the solar industry. The move has seen the State introduce new requirements for industry players including technicians, manufacturers of equipment and traders.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- energy access, governance, solar
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Press Release: U.S. Government’s Power Madagascar to Bring Electricity to 5,200 Rural Homes and Businesses
The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Power Africa initiative, has awarded three companies in Madagascar a combined $1.2 million in grant funding to develop mini-grids that will bring electricity to more than 5,200 rural homes and businesses. These grants are part of the U.S. Government’s $3 million effort to increase energy production and electricity access in Madagascar.
- Categories
- Energy, Investing, Social Enterprise
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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EDFI ElectriFI Invests in Candi’s PV Solar Solutions for Indian SMEs
EDFI ElectriFI invested EUR 2,68m junior debt in candi, a platform that finances, builds and operates solar solutions for SMEs in emerging markets, whereby the aim is to help customers improve their bottom line while at the same time creating a positive environmental impact.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- renewable energy, solar