-
Revitalizing Off-Grid Solar: Why Africa’s PAYGo Sector is Ready for a New Dawn
Africa's off-grid solar sector, particularly pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar, has passed through a period of disillusionment among investors, as profitability has remained elusive. But as Chris Emmott at Acumen, Audrey Desiderato at Mirova and Bankole Cardoso at Delta40 Venture Studio argue, the sector nevertheless stands on the cusp of becoming a mature industry with real and sustainable impact. They explain why they remain optimistic about the future of PAYGo solar as impact investors, and why it's time for honest conversations and compromise from all stakeholders — including companies and their investors — about how the industry can move into the next stage of its development.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Finance, Investing, Technology
-
REA, GEF, UNDP Sign Deals to Deliver 23 Power Mini-grids to 70,000 Nigerians
An impact-focused initiative active in 21 countries, the Africa mini-grids programme, which was launched in 2022, is being funded by GEF and supported by the UNDP, according to statement issued by the partners.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Tapping the Potential of Catalytic Carbon Finance: Could This Collaborative Approach Unlock Scale in Africa’s Off-Grid Solar Sector?
Addressing Africa's growing demand for reliable, renewable energy is essential for the continent's sustainable economic development. But as Peter Simiyu at EcoSecurities explains, despite Africa's ample clean energy resources, just 2% of renewable energy investments have been channelled to the region in the past decade. He explores how an innovative approach to catalytic carbon finance could help provide the funding businesses need to kick-start off-grid power deployment, enabling Africa to lead the global shift toward clean energy.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing
-
A Missed Opportunity for Climate Tech Startups: The Need for Effective Early-Stage Marketing
The climate tech ecosystem is witnessing a wave of innovation and startup activity. Yet Emre Eren Korkmaz at the University of Oxford argues that these startups often overlook a key factor that's critical to their long-term success: the need for early-stage marketing strategies. He explains why marketing is a foundational necessity from day one, enabling climate tech startups to offer their solutions to potential clients in the corporate, public and impact sectors, across industries ranging from agriculture to aviation.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Technology
-
The Gender Aspect of the E-Mobility Transition: An Innovative Collaboration in Kenya Highlights New Ways to Bring Women into the Sector
The transition to electric mobility (e-mobility) represents a massive shift for consumers, businesses and other stakeholders. But as Dana Gorodetsky at the William Davidson Institute argues, it also creates an opportunity to engage women as electric vehicle (EV) entrepreneurs, designers, producers and drivers — and to design mobility solutions with women's needs in mind. She explores how Kenya is leading the way in ensuring a just and inclusive e-mobility transition, highlighting two companies that are working to boost women’s involvement in the EV value chain.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Transportation
-
NextBillion’s Most Influential Articles of 2024: Congratulations to the Three Winners
NextBillion's “Most Influential Articles of the Year” contest has been a yearly tradition since 2012. The contest highlights 12 of our most-read articles from the past year and gives readers the opportunity to vote for their favorites. Here are our three Most Influential Articles of 2024, as selected by our readers.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Investing, Technology
-
Press Release: IFC Partners with Sol Agora to Expand Access to Solar Financing and Diversify Brazil’s Energy Mix
Sol Agora is a fintech provider of long-term financing for micro and mini-distributed solar power generation assets across Brazil.
- Categories
- Energy, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Latin America
-
Press Release: CEI Africa Receives EUR 24 Million from KfW to Boost Clean Energy Access
This grant will be distributed across the various investment and grant windows of CEI Africa, offering financing for green mini-grid developers and companies in the off-grid solar sector.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Subscribe to Our 'Business in Global Development' Newsletter!
Our new weekly LinkedIn newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with curated news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage of impact-focused business in emerging markets.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.