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Why Private Businesses — Not Non-Profits and NGOs — Present the Only Scalable Solution for Last-Mile Electrification in Africa
In the pursuit of last-mile electrification in Africa, both businesses and NGOs/non-profits are pursuing different pathways to scale. In a recent NextBillion article, Aneri Pradhan at New Energy Nexus argued that market-led approaches are ill-suited for remote communities, and that philanthropy should focus more on scalable non-profit models. But according to Yariv Cohen at Ignite Power, when it comes to serving these communities at scale, businesses offer advantages that non-profits and NGOs cannot match. He explores why the private sector’s role is critical for addressing energy poverty across Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
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Press Release: Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia & Spark+ Africa Closes US$3.75 Million Series A Investment in ATEC for Global South Expansions
SEEAA is a €21M investment vehicle managed by Schneider Electric to invest in early-stage clean energy ventures in South and Southeast Asia.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Scalable Mini-Grid Design Requires Expandable Systems: Why Modular Technology and Finance are Key to the Sector’s Growth and Sustainability
Mini-grids offer a proven, low-cost solution to bring energy access to hard-to-reach communities. But as Nathan Sermonis and Liam Murphy at Vittoria Technology argue, mini-grid projects need to start small and grow alongside customer demand for optimal sustainability. They explore why smart mini-grid design requires expandable, right-sized systems with “modular” finance and technology, and discuss how recent innovations in batteries and other solar technologies can enable this change in the sector’s approach to system design.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
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Off-Grid Energy Leader ENGIE Energy Access Launches 15 Solar Mini-Grids in Zambia, Targets 60 by 2025
ENGIE Energy Access will provide reliable electricity to underserved families and small businesses, creating economic growth and increasing socio-economic welfare in local communities.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Urgent Action Required to Address Sub-Saharan Africa’s Energy Equity: WEF Report
Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with significant equity challenges, demanding urgent improvements in energy access.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Report: Progress on Basic Energy Access Reverses for First Time in a Decade
A combination of factors contributed to this including the global energy crisis, inflation, growing debt distress in many low-income countries, and increased geopolitical tensions.
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- Energy
- Region
- Global
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Rethinking Credit Scoring: A Pay-As-You-Go Pioneer Explores Innovative Solutions in Africa
The ability to make life-changing purchases — from buying a home to setting up a business — usually relies upon acquiring credit. But as Mansoor Hamayun at Bboxx explains, in many emerging markets, it’s incredibly difficult for the average citizen to obtain a credit score. He explores the obstacles to credit scoring in Africa, and discusses how Pay-As-You-Go financing of solar products — combined with innovative approaches to consumer subsidies — can be leveraged to boost access to credit scores and essential financial services in underserved communities.
- Categories
- Finance
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Press Release: World Bank Supports Policy Reform of Ghana’s Energy Sector and Access to Clean Cooking
The PforR will support Ghana’s Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP) to improve the financial viability of electricity distribution and increase access to clean cooking solutions.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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