Launching Call to Action to ignite solar markets in Africa

SNV will launch an ambitious Call to Action: Fast-tracking Basic Off-Grid Electrification in Africa at the upcoming Vienna Energy Forum 11-12 May 2017. The call aims to attract partners to disseminate five million Lighting Global certified entry-level solar products to five countries, in five years.

Around 1.1 billion people globally do not have access to electricity and the hardest hit communities are in sub-Saharan Africa. These vulnerable people, spend a high proportion of their limited income on traditional energy sources to run their households, often resulting in kerosene-related air pollution and burns. Access to off -grid solutions such as basic entry-level solar products could fundamentally improve their quality of life  - giving access to safer, cleaner and more affordable energy.

Recently, access to new financial models such as PAYGo are fuelling the market for larger solar home systems. Both development partners and private sector companies are shifting their focus to these systems to meet this growing demand, therefore disinvesting in basic lanterns and phone charging solutions. However, the impact of these solar solutions cannot be underestimated. In fact, for a number of countries, the introduction of solar lanterns can be seen as an important first step to increase awareness of the benefits of solar energy and in turn, help facilitate gradual market development towards larger solar systems. Ultimately, this situation is now resulting in an energy access gap for vulnerable communities in peri-urban and rural areas.

SNV's objective is to engage partners to fast track universal energy access. Through a market based collaborative programme approach, the call aims to disseminate 5 million Lighting Global certified entry-level solar products to vulnerable communities, in five years. Benin, Burkina Faso, DRC, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia are being considered as possible target countries.

SNV’s leadership and actions have already resulted in helping 1.5 million people in 12 African countries gain access to solar PV electricity. Together, with our private sector and public sector partners, we have demonstrated that we possess the expertise, scale and proven track record to achieve these objectives.

Come and join us for this event which will take place on Thursday 11 May, from 13:50 – 14:20 at Rittersal, Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

For more information, please contact Sinéad Crane, SNV Marketing & Communication Advisor.