ENERGY
The vast majority of people in Africa cannot access or afford modern energy services. Overcoming this obstacle is key to unlocking the continent’s social and economic potential. We partner with public and private institutions to plan and provide accessible and sustainable energy solutions.

The lack of sufficient, affordable and clean energy impacts human health and limits economic development. Energy poverty is compounded by a growing population and an increasing demand for energy. We work towards realising Africa’s sustainable energy potential by supporting new low-carbon energy production, and scaling up energy efficiency and renewable energy in existing energy systems. We assist governments and the private sector in the process of transitioning towards economically viable and renewable energy sources, and in developing energy solutions that are pro-poor.

We understand that in Africa, decisions about energy are intimately linked to decisions made in other sectors, through the water-energy-food nexus. We also recognise the current dependencies on biomass as a source of primary energy and, in this context, the high upfront costs of transitioning from biomass towards more modern energy supply.

The public sector has the potential to catalyse the development of new energy models, both distributed and grid-connected, by collaborating with the private sector, communities and local government. To enable this synergy in growing economies, we support institutions in leveraging public investment to catalyse and direct private sector capital towards sustainable energy.