Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The African Development Bank approved a $5.65 million grant for mini-grid projects in 14 African countries. The funds support Peace Renewable Energy Certificate initiatives. They aim to bring electricity to 856,000 people in fragile areas.
Okay News reports that the project uses renewable energy certificates from small-scale mini-grids. These target conflict-affected and energy-poor communities. Multinational companies buy the certificates voluntarily.
The total facility reaches $11.3 million with matching funds from the Nordic Development Fund. Camco Clean Energy and Energy Peace Partners will manage it jointly. Developers get upfront cash for certificates sold to global buyers.
This addresses capital shortages in rural electrification. João Duarte Cunha from the AfDB said, “Lack of access to capital for rural electrification continues to be a major hurdle for universal energy access in the African continent, particularly in countries experiencing conflicts and fragility.”
The countries include Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Mini-grids there face financing challenges. The initiative provides hard currency where it’s scarce.
Satu Santala of the Nordic Development Fund added, “Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa facing fragile and conflict-affected situations urgently need support and access to clean, reliable energy solutions.”
The pilot tests scaling corporate funding for renewables. It could boost jobs, health, and education in underserved regions. More mini-grids may follow as demand grows.
