Turner Kirk Trust’s Post

⚡️Electrification is transforming lives across Africa, but the journey is filled with challenges.🌍 In places like Nigeria and Madagascar, reliable electricity is not just a luxury but a necessity that can dramatically improve living conditions, boost economic opportunities, and enhance educational outcomes. Rebecca Aime of Patapia emphasizes the life-changing impact of accessible energy, particularly for refugees in Uganda. However, achieving widespread electrification requires overcoming significant obstacles, such as site access and infrastructure development. Companies and investors must work closely with local communities to ensure sustainable and inclusive progress. Africa's immense renewable energy potential, especially solar, offers a unique opportunity to leapfrog fossil fuels and embrace a greener future. Innovative financing and strong community involvement are key to unlocking this potential and driving the continent towards sustainable development.🌍🔋 Read the full article from African Business Magazine here: https://lnkd.in/d58u9kfb #Electrification #RenewableEnergy #AfricaEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #GreenFuture #EconomicGrowth #EnergyAccess #CommunityEngagement #InnovativeFinance

'African poverty is partly a consequence of energy poverty' begins an article by The Economist. This is one reason the solar lights that THE MWEZI FOUNDATION gives to school students are so popular. The whole family takes advantage of the solar light to study, cook and eat by, and they don't have to buy expensive and polluting kerosene. Even where there is grid power (sometimes the schools are on the grid), there are frequent outages. Our team in Kenya were unable to connect with me this week because of an all day power cut. Solar power is definitely the way forward. However, we know that even solar light batteries and other parts will fail in the harsh African conditions, so it is vital that there is follow up to ensure that lights are maintained regularly. It is not a solution to donate thousands of lights, assuming they will work indefinitely. There has to be a follow up to replace and fix broken lights, or else we are just polluting the countryside with electronic waste. This is why we return to our schools regularly to collect any broken lights and take them back to the workshop in Mombasa to replace broken parts and redonate them. If any private solar firms operating in Kenya would like to partner with us, we would love to hear from you. #lightuplives #solarpower #kenya #education

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mulenga Chanda from Zambia who values social inclusion as much as providing reliable renewable energy. Around 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still don’t have energy access at home – 11 million of them in Zambia. Connecting these people to light and power and supporting them to live sustainably is Namene’s purpose. In Zambia alone, Namene has already delivered over  725,000 solar lights to over 1.2 million people.  Working in Zambia can be challenging. Much of the population lives rurally, in towns sparsely spread across difficult terrain, and many have insecure or low-incomes. Yet this is exactly why Namene entered the market. For years, communities here have relied on kerosene lamps and candles as their only source of lighting and know all too well the risks and costs associated with such dangerous and toxic fossil fuel lighting. Zambia was Namene’s first carbon project, which has since seen almost a quarter of a million solar lights delivered across all ten provinces since 2021. This rapid growth was underpinned by our trailblazing strategy to make solar lights affordable and accessible to all. Understanding the carbon value of a solar light Namene was an industry leader in understanding the carbon savings solar lights could unlock. By tapping into carbon finance as a way to subsidise the cost of our lights for end-users, we have been able to give over one million Zambians their first step on the clean energy ladder.   Making truly affordable, low-cost, high-quality solar lights breaks the barrier of affordability, something @name customers say they have never had before. In doing this, Namene managed to achieve a 90% market share in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, where their carbon projects first began.  Affordability is the foundation of our strategy. But the delivery and distribution to off-grid communities also requires long-term relationships built on trust. https://lnkd.in/gmwsC5nr #zambiarenewables #socailinclusionzambia #ESGzambia #SDGZambia

🔋 Empowering Communities with Off-Grid Solar 🌍   Electricity is crucial for poverty alleviation, economic growth, and improved living standards. Yet over 2 billion people globally still live without reliable access to electricity. In many regions, expanding the traditional power grid is a costly and time-consuming challenge. We believe that universal energy access is possible, and off-grid solar is a critical part of the solution. ⚡ Lack of access to energy limits education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Traditional solutions like diesel generators are not only expensive but also harmful to the environment. Communities need a sustainable, reliable, and affordable power source. ☀️solar, as the most affordable source of electricity generation, is pivotal in bridging the energy gap. Off-grid solar is a game-changer in regions where traditional grid expansion is challenging or economically unfeasible. By providing an affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy source, off-grid solar helps deliver electricity to the most remote and underserved areas, contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and community development.     💡 As a pioneer in the off-grid solar market, OPES Solutions is constantly striving to develop the market further. For Energy Access, this means cost-efficient and reliable products.   The Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo (#GOGSFE24), co-hosted by GOGLA, the Government of Kenya, and the @World Bank’s Lighting Global Program - ESMAP - Energy Sector Management Assistance Program Energy Sector Management Assistance Program, is back. We’re excited to connect with industry leaders and partners to explore new ways of bringing solar — right where it’s needed. Meet OPES at： 📅 8-10 October 📍 Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya     #SolarRightWhereItsNeeded #offgridsolar #sustainablility

🔦Shining a light on the importance of #energyaccess on the UN’s #InternationalDayofLight.💡Currently, 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity, creating significant barriers to health care, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, and ultimately job creation (𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘬). 🏮Energy, particularly in the form of reliable lighting, enables economic activities to continue after dark, supporting businesses and extending study hours for students. 🔦 Light enhances safety and security, particularly for women and children. 🌾Harnessing sunlight to drive solar water pumps gives farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa a path to irrigation, with the urgency of the #climatecrisis making traditional rain-fed increasingly unreliable. Several of the companies we’re invested in, including Juhudi Kilimo and Baobab+ + (via our investment in Baobab Group) are part of the solution providing a range of solar loans and products including solar home systems, lamps and water pumps. 📈 93% of nearly 80,000 customers interviewed globally in 60 Decibels' recently released report “Why Off Grid Energy Matters” (inc. Baobab+ customers) said their quality of life had improved due to access to energy, with 54% saying it had improved significantly. 🗨️ 💡Fanignoro Silue Lakpolo is a traditional healer from Côte d'Ivoire and a customer of Baobab+ who got her home solar kit in 2019. She’s a a widow with 6 children, and when she built the house, the neighbourhood didn’t have a connection to the electricity grid.  Now with 3 solar lights, her children can study. Next to her house she is building rooms to let out. She explains with a broad grin what her biggest wish is: a solar powered car, so it’s easier for her to visit patients that are living in remote areas. 

A reflection on my visit to Zambia. During my visit to Zambia, I've been reminded of the stark contrasts and challenges the country faces. The natural beauty and warmth of the people are captivating, yet the pervasive issue of city-wide load shedding casts a long shadow over daily life and the nation's economic prospects. City-wide load shedding, implemented due to insufficient power supply, disrupts daily activities, hinders business operations, and strains essential services. Small businesses relying on electrical machinery find their productivity drastically reduced, leading to lower income and economic instability. Larger enterprises face increased operational costs as they are forced to invest in costly alternative power sources. The impact on low-earning households is particularly severe. The cost of alternative lighting solutions like candles or kerosene lamps can be prohibitive, affecting children's education and access to essential information and communication technologies. The power crisis also impacts the construction industry. Rising costs of building materials, linked to increased production costs due to power outages, make housing less affordable for low-income families, and building houses even more expensive to Zambians. This crisis presents an opportunity for Zambia to reallocate government funds and focus on long-term solutions. Investment in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power could provide more reliable and sustainable electricity. However, the initial cost of solar panels can be prohibitive for low-income households and small businesses. To address this, the government could implement subsidy programs to make solar technology more accessible and affordable. By subsidizing the cost of solar panels and providing financial incentives for businesses to invest in renewable energy, Zambia can create a more stable and sustainable energy supply, reducing long-term dependence on the national grid. Improving the efficiency of existing power infrastructure is critical and can reduce transmission losses consequently help maximize available power. Supporting and encouraging private sector investment in renewable energy projects can drive innovation and growth in the energy sector. While Zambia's city-wide load shedding crisis poses significant challenges, it also offers an opportunity for strategic intervention and sustainable development. By reallocating funds from non-essential luxuries and prioritizing investments in alternative energy sources, the government can address immediate power shortages and lay the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous future. With careful planning and the right policies, Zambia can turn this crisis into an opportunity for growth and progress. #Zambia #EnergyCrisis #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #LoadShedding #SolarPower #Innovation #PublicPolicy

The latest Off-grid Solar Market Trends Report from GOGLA, Dalberg, and The World Bank highlights a challenging reality: current market mechanisms and funding approaches are insufficient to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. This discussion was also a key topic for debate at the #GOGSFE conference last month. At Practical Action, we recently conducted an analysis on the business models and financial interventions that could effectively provide Tier 1 electricity access to people in extreme poverty across #Zambia, #Rwanda, and #Nepal. We present that in three briefs, summarized in a new blog, link below. 💡 Energy-as-a-Service (#EaaS) combined with a 50% subsidy has shown significant potential. For example, it could enable first access to Tier 1 Solar Home Systems for 1.7 million households living in extreme poverty in Zambia with a $71M subsidy injection, and for 620,000 households in Rwanda with $41M. Achieving this scale of impact, however, requires careful design and deployment of these mechanisms to address the challenges that typically restrict access to them for those living in extreme poverty. The findings were developed using a model we created with Kuungana Advisory for the Transforming Energy Access study, “Can Market Mechanisms enable Energy Access for People in Extreme Poverty?”. For a full analysis of the findings, check out our blog and the accompanying resources in the link below. Thomas Stevenson Stephen Nash Niraj Shrestha Min Bikram Malla Ndahimana Anaclet Robert Mutalindwa Harriet Bradshaw-Smith Angus Vantoch-Wood REAL (Rural Energy Access Lab) John Keane Brave Mhonie Thomas SAMUEL

Improving energy access in rural Africa is crucial for poverty reduction, but grid electricity is often inaccessible or unaffordable — and off-grid alternatives present similar challenges. Olowo Aminu, Bodunde Akinola, Nneka Chime and Mosorire Aiyeyemi at CrossBoundary Group argue that Productive Use of Electricity (PUE) has the potential to solve these issues, boosting household income and economic growth, while increasing profitability for energy providers. They share a framework CrossBoundary has developed to help off-grid companies and other stakeholders plan for effective PUE implementation. https://lnkd.in/ekFuZtuS #EnergyAccess #SolarEnergy #ProductiveUseofElectricity #ProductiveUse #Africa #Nigeria #OffGridEnergy #OffGridElectricity #MiniGrids #OffGrid #EmergingMarkets #solar #SolarSector #RenewableEnergy #SolarInnovation

Sustainable Solutions for Alleviating Energy Poverty in Nigeria Introduction: Energy poverty remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, with a significant portion of the population lacking access to reliable and affordable energy services. To address this challenge and promote sustainable development, innovative solutions are required to ensure universal access to clean and affordable energy sources. This comprehensive expository will explore sustainable solutions for alleviating energy poverty in Nigeria, focusing on renewable energy, policy interventions, and community-based approaches. 1.Promotion of Renewable Energy: Embracing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower can play a pivotal role in providing sustainable energy solutions for underserved communities in Nigeria. By investing in renewable energy infrastructure and incentivizing private sector participation, the country can harness its abundant natural resources to expand access to affordable and clean energy. 2.Policy Interventions: Implementing supportive policies and regulatory frameworks is essential for accelerating progress towards energy access goals. The Nigerian government can introduce incentives for renewable energy investment, streamline permitting processes for off-grid energy projects, and prioritize energy access in national development plans to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy solutions. 3. Community-Based Approaches: Engaging local communities in the design and implementation of energy projects is fundamental to ensuring their sustainability and relevance. Community-based approaches, such as the establishment of energy cooperatives, micro-grid systems, and training programs for clean energy technologies, can empower communities to take ownership of their energy needs and promote social and economic development. 4. Innovative Financing Mechanisms: Access to finance is a significant barrier to energy access in Nigeria, particularly for low-income households and rural communities. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as pay-as-you-go models, crowd-funding platforms, and green bonds, can help bridge the funding gap and make clean energy technologies more accessible and affordable to those in need. 5. Capacity Building: Enhancing technical skills and knowledge in the energy sector is crucial for driving sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria. Investing in education and training programs for energy professionals, technicians, and entrepreneurs can build a skilled workforce capable of designing, implementing, and maintaining clean energy systems across the country. In conclusion, sustainable solutions for alleviating energy poverty in Nigeria require a multi-faceted and collaborative approach that integrates renewable energy, policy interventions, community involvement, innovative financing, and capacity building.

Renewable Powerlessness for Rural Kenya I come from a little African village called Lung’a, in the rural COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF KISUMU constituency of Seme. We have never known electricity since it was invented😀. We are part of 600M #Africans without power, yet strive for socioeconomic development. While in rural #Europe, #Americas and parts of #Asia, people getaway to remote cabin areas for thrill away from regular power, in my village, solar power is the lifeline for thousands desperately needing to power phones and #lanterns. If they need more power they resort to #petrol and diesel-run generators. This #solar is not only dependent on the #sun, it is irregular, inadequate and too expensive for the villager. Their only hope lies on the World Bank #rural electrification program, which intends to #power every last mile, but is mostly skewed by proximity to public #institutions and whiffs of #political inclinations. While solar is acclaimed for powering #Africa for long, we need to factor rural opinions and strategies to ensure that solar is supplementary to #grid electricity. Not vice versa. This is the only way for global players to sincerely claim to have connected every household to the #global village. Otherwise, I would like to welcome to my #village all those seeking a thrill away from grid power, for a 1700s feel of your world. Lung’a is as natural as you would want it. And yes we can grill, smoke fish and thrill too, organically. 😎