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Private Business Alone Can’t Bring Energy to the Last Mile: Why Philanthropy Should Shift its Focus to Scalable Non-Profit Models
Africa is home to countless failed pay-as-you-go energy businesses that couldn't sustain themselves after their grant funding dried up. According to Aneri Pradhan at New Energy Nexus, this highlights the shortcomings of market-led approaches to last-mile energy access across the continent. She argues that philanthropic funding has largely failed to create sustainable energy businesses in these communities, as customers cannot afford clean energy at their current income levels. Instead, she encourages funders to support non-profit models that have proven their ability to reach these communities at scale.
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Press Release: Report: Heifer Africa’s New Report Shows Impact of Innovation, Catalytic Financing on Youth Job Creation and Farmers’ Incomes
Heifer Africa's new report unveils groundbreaking findings, highlighting the role of technology in driving agricultural transformation.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Energy Poverty is Not Gender Blind: How Companies, Funders and Policymakers Can Empower Female Energy Consumers Across Africa
While both men and women in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity and clean energy technologies, women pay a bigger price for this lack of access in nearly every imaginable way. Mutale Ngaba, Katie Brauer, Nathalie Gogue-Ebo and Duda Slawek at Open Capital argue that this crucial aspect of the energy access conversation is often overlooked. They explore the gender inequities in energy poverty, and share learnings from Open Capital's work that can guide the efforts of energy companies, funders and policymakers to put women’s needs at the center of energy access efforts in the region.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Technology
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AFC and d.light Achieve Off-Grid Solar Industry Milestone with Full Repayment of Senior Debt for $110 Million Securitization Facility
AFC’s groundbreaking USD$110 million securitization vehicle, BLK1, the first securitization instrument for Pay-As-You-Go solar home systems, has achieved a full exit for its senior lenders months ahead of schedule.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Securitization for Social Impact: Why It’s the Ideal Instrument for Scaling Social Enterprises Providing Consumer Financing in the Developing World
Economic uncertainty has led to a risk-averse approach from investors in recent years, forcing social enterprises and other businesses in developing countries to find alternative sources of finance. Ron Pfende at d.light shares an innovative solution to this challenge: securitization, the process of transforming a group of cash-generating assets into one investable security. He explains how d.light has leveraged this approach to finance its growth, and how securitization yields returns for businesses and investors alike.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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Sun King Secures USD $7 Million Boost From Lendable For Expanding Clean Energy Access In Africa
This collaboration between Sun King and Lendable stands as a testament to the shared vision of creating a more sustainable and inclusive energy future for Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Kenyan E-Bus Startup BasiGo Secures $5 Million Debt Facility to Scale Local Production
BasiGo provides state-of-the-art electric buses along with charging and maintenance services for bus operators.
- Categories
- Technology, Transportation
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How Fintech is Enabling Progress Toward the SDGs — And Why it’s Time for Investors to Double Down
Due to high interest rates and other macroeconomic challenges, there's been a global slowdown in venture capital funding to tech firms. David Grimaud at Bamboo Capital Partners explains how this lack of investment is impacting fintech companies in emerging markets, putting not only financial inclusion but other development priorities at risk. He explores how fintech innovators are advancing multiple SDGs, and how the investment community — especially impact-focused investors — can better support them.
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