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Washington-based social impact project developer C-Quest Capital (CQC) has secured significant new finance for its deployment of clean cooking stoves in sub-Saharan Africa, in the latest sign of growing interest in the sector.
An off-grid electricity access project promoted under the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)’s Benin Power Compact is making significant progress. Agreements with five concessionaires will come into force within months and further agreements are under negotiation.
A 22 March agreement between the government and a joint venture called Koko Rwanda – majority owned by Koko Networks alongside consulting company and co-developer Dalberg – will see Rwanda waive VAT and import duties on equipment and ethanol while Koko Rwanda invests $25m developing a nationwide bioethanol cooking fuel network.
Off-grid energy company Bboxx is launching a cheaper product range to target poorer customers, amid a fall in incomes across Africa for the first time in a decade and supply chain issues with China.
Frequently treated as an afterthought to electrification, clean cooking equipment suppliers have quietly been making inroads on the back of deepening supply chains, technological innovation and maturing business models, writes Dan Marks.
Textile exporter United Aryan said it had connected its 1.8MW rooftop solar PV project in Nairobi.
Investec Property has announced plans for a 5.25MW rooftop solar PV project in Corbunia Mall, Durban, which it has dubbed the continent’s largest rooftop solar project.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has awarded grants for 11 solar PV mini-grids. Technical and financial support is being provided by the European Union and German government through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme.
The InfraCredit credit enhancement facility, sponsored by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the UK’s GuarantCo, has announced that it will partner with the British government on a £10m ($13.6m) programme to spur investment in off-grid renewable energy projects.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a commitment of up to $165m for the Leveraging Energy Access Finance Framework (Leaf) programme, which promotes solar home systems, green mini-grids and solar PV systems for commercial and industrial offtakers.
The Brilho off-grid renewables initiative, managed by Dutch development organisation SNV, has launched its second call for applications.
Bboxx Kenya agreed in January a KSh1.6bn ($15m) debt package with local commercial bank SBM Bank Kenya. The Private Infrastructure Development Group’s GuarantCo is underwriting the deal with a KSh1.2bn partial credit guarantee.
The International Organisation for Migration’s Juba office in Northern Bari has invited bidders to submit a tender for the design, supply and installation of a 0.4MWp roof-mounted solar PV system.
The World Bank Group is seeking expressions of interest (EoIs) from consultants to provide an analysis of the market readiness for private sector participation in solar hybrid mini-grids in Niger.
The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and Shell-seeded Nigerian impact investor All On announced on 21 January that 13 Nigerian-owned companies had been selected to receive funds worth $100,000.
