Advancing the Off-Grid Solar Sector: Highlights from the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024

As of 2023, the off-grid solar sector has served over 561 million people globally, contributing 55% of new electricity connections in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2020 and 2022. However, with over 660 million people projected to still be without access to electricity by 2030, the need for scalable, affordable energy solutions is critical. There is growing demand and progress, but significant challenges remain, particularly as population growth and affordability challenges continue to outpace current interventions ((GOGLA, World Bank, and Dalberg, 2024).

The Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024 was a vital meeting point for these discussions, bringing together 1,640 renewable energy leaders and 108 government officials to explore the innovations, partnerships, and policies necessary to accelerate global energy access. Co-hosted by GOGLA, the Government of Kenya, and The World Bank’s Lighting Global Program (ESMAP), the event highlighted the crucial role of clean energy in unlocking broader development opportunities across the continent.

Alongside the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo, a series of events connected the broader ecosystem with Kenya’s rapidly growing off-grid solar sector, showcasing solutions that address energy access challenges in off-grid communities. We launched the week with a range of engagements, including our pre-Forum off-grid solar ecosystem tour, panel discussions, and a networking reception co-hosted with Kawisafi and Mirova. The week highlighted the critical role of renewable energy in Africa, providing insights into advancements and financing opportunities that are driving progress in the off-grid sector.

NCN’s Off-Grid Solar Ecosystem Tour:

Recognising that there are access gaps between global investors and ecosystem players trying to more actively engage with offgrid solar solutions, NCN organised an, 0ff-grid solar ecosystem tour, offering investors and forum participants a first-hand look at the leading solutions in the field. These organisations are not just advancing SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), but they are also playing a role in the larger efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resilience in rural areas. Five organisations, each driving significant advancements in the off-grid solar space, were visited:

• Biolite: a global leader in providing clean energy solutions for off-grid households, showcased their solar lighting, cookstoves, and portable chargers, aiming to reach 20 million people by 2025 and reduce CO2 emissions by 3 million tons.
• SunCulture: the largest provider of solar irrigation systems for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrated how their technology helps farmers increase productivity and access broader agricultural value chains.

• Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association : an industry association supporting mini-grid developers, shared insights on scaling mini-grid solutions to bring affordable, reliable energy to remote communities.
• Koolboks: a provider of solar-powered refrigeration solutions, highlighted their innovative approach to cold storage, empowering SMEs and health facilities with energy-efficient refrigeration units that can operate off-grid for up to four days.
• BasiGo: a company transforming public transport with electric buses, presented their Pay-As-You-Drive model, which reduces the cost barrier for electric vehicle adoption while reducing CO2 emissions and diesel consumption.

Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo:

The forum brought to light several gaps and challenges in the off-grid sector, one of the most overlooked being the resilience driven by Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions. NCN’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, Flavia Howard, moderated a key panel discussion on “Empowering Vulnerable Communities: Increasing Resilience and Adaptation Finance for Off-Grid Solar Solutions,”  which focused on accessing adaptation finance to scale distributed renewable energy solutions for the most at-risk populations. The conversations highlighted not only the growing role of private investors in driving clean energy but also the need for innovative financial mechanisms to support these efforts.

One of the key takeaways from the Forum was the acknowledgment of the significant finance gap required to meet the off-grid sectors needs. Rebekah Shirley, Deputy Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute, noted that Africa’s adaptation and mitigation agenda will require an estimated USD 2.8 trillion over the next decade, with clean energy serving as both the initial driver of sustainability and an enabler for other sectors like agriculture. She underscored the importance of attracting alternative sources of investment, including African pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, to scale up financing for off-grid solar. 

She emphasised tapping into alternative sources of private investment: “There are many actors besides banks, such as African pension funds with USD 700 billion in assets under management, and sovereign wealth funds with USD 16 billion under management, looking for sustainable investments.”

NCN, Kawisafi, and Mirova Networking Reception at GOGSFE:

The week concluded with a networking reception co-hosted by Kawisafi, Mirova, and key stakeholders in Kenya’s renewable energy space. This gathering brought together over 300 participants, offering a space for renewable energy actors to connect and explore new opportunities for collaboration. During the event, Kawisafi announced the launch of its $200 million Kawisafi II Fund, aimed at bridging investment gaps in energy transition projects across Africa. Mirova also shared its commitment to scaling impact in emerging markets, focusing on clean energy transitions and addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges.

Both Kawisafi and Mirova highlighted the need for innovative financing solutions to unlock the full potential of renewable energy in underserved regions, while inviting renewable energy projects to explore partnership opportunities.

“KawiSafi Fund II builds on the success of the KawiSafi Fund I, a $67M Fund launched in 2016 to invest in off-grid energy. The Fund, now fully deployed, successfully supported renewable energy organisations across Africa including NCN members d.light and BioLite. We are excited that the successor Fund will continue to invest in scalable companies deploying low carbon technologies and driving climate action across Africa” Angela Muraguri, Investment Manager, Kawisafi.

“In a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape that constrains capital flow to emerging markets, Mirova remains committed to pioneering impactful investment solutions. We continue to develop innovative investment strategies through our natural capital and energy transition platforms to support access to low-carbon energy and nature-positive projects. Additionally, we have established an advisory arm, Impact Finance Services, which aims to empower communities seeking investment readiness, thereby contributing to the sustainability of companies in Sub-Saharan Africa that operate in the energy access sector, with a focus on rural connectivity, electrification, and food security.” Ritesh Shah, CEO of Mirova Kenya

The discussions and connections formed during Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo (GOGSFE) reinforced the importance of collaboration and investment in accelerating off-grid solar solutions. Kenya’s vibrant renewable energy ecosystem showcased how innovation, financing, and partnerships are driving real progress toward achieving universal energy access. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all NCN members who took part in the events throughout the week, as well as the GOGSFE attendees we had the pleasure of hosting. 

Congratulations to our members who exhibited innovative energy solutions at the Forum: Biolite, d.light, EcoSecurities, GreenMax Capital Group, and Sun King.

We are also grateful to our partners for their support across various events: Biolite, SunCulture, AMDA, Koolboks and BasiGo for showcasing their innovations on the NCN Off-Grid Solar Ecosystem Tour, and Kawisafi and Mirova for co-hosting the networking reception.

Access GOGLA, ESMAP and Dalberg’s Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report 2024 here.