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Mini-grids May Not Be the Answer: Why Shifts in Technology and Funding Have Changed the Energy Access Outlook in Africa
There is intense pressure to reach universal energy access by 2030, which requires a further 666 million people to be electrified, most of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. And according to Stewart Hicks at Bamboo Capital Partners, mini-grids are often viewed as a key part of the solution, leading to growing calls for more private sector investment in this technology. But he argues that this focus on mini-grids may be distracting from faster, more cost-effective approaches. He explains why mini-grids — despite being a good solution in some areas — have several under-reported constraints, and explores some emerging alternative electrification models that may present a more realistic path toward greater energy access in Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing, Technology
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Wind and Solar Projects in Kenya and South Africa Don’t Always Benefit the Communities That Host Them – Study
If green energy investments are to deliver on their promise of development, governments and investors need to start by asking communities what they consider a fair deal. Land, livelihoods, culture and ways of life may be just as important as financial returns.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Miller Center Capital Invests in Koolboks to Expand Solar-Powered Cold Storage for Micro-Entrepreneurs in Ghana
The financing will help Koolboks fulfill a large purchase order from a leading multinational FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) company that will distribute solar-powered chest freezers to microfranchise vendors in Ghana.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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When ‘Patient Capital’ isn’t Patient Enough: How Mismatched Funder Timelines in PAYGo Solar are Holding Back Energy Access in Africa
The energy access conversation in Africa is usually framed around deployment, with success defined by connection targets, cost reduction and rural reach. But Kolawole Osinowo at the FATE Institute argues that these goals don't address a binding constraint for companies working at the last mile: the time it takes for households to repay the solar assets they bought via PAYGo financing. As he explains, the PAYGo model spreads out payments for the benefit of the consumer, but it adds the cost of waiting to the provider’s balance sheet — and that cost later spreads to the company’s investors. And though much of the capital that supports energy access presents itself as patient, willing to wait for these PAYGo assets to be repaid, in practice, these investors often behave otherwise. He discusses the impacts of this mismatch, and explores how capital can be structured for better alignment with PAYGo timelines.
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Analysis: Wind and Solar Power Overtake Fossil Fuels in Germany for First Time Ever
Solar and onshore wind have grown rapidly under Germany’s “Energiewende” strategy over the past two decades, as the nation transitions away from both coal and nuclear power.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
- Tags
- decarbonization, renewable energy, solar, wind
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ADB and Partners Power Timor-Leste’s Energy Future with Landmark Investment in Solar and Battery Storage
The landmark investment—which is also Timor-Leste’s first independent power producer project —will be operated by Manatuto Renewables Power and will help to transform the country’s energy landscape by reducing reliance on imported diesel.
- Region
- South Asia
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OPEC Fund Provides $50 Million Loan to Vietnam’s SeABank for Small Business and Climate Financing
In a statement on Monday, SeABank said the loan can help it increase lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which account for around half of employment in Vietnam but continue to face a significant financing gap.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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19 Firms Get $1.5 Million Grant to Boost Solar-Powered Businesses in Africa
The programme which aims to deploy 3,800 productive use appliances, including solar-powered water pumps, refrigerators and milling machines, while creating over 3,000 green jobs across the three countries.Eight Nigerian companies were among the beneficiaries selected for the initiative.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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