Focus Area: Access to Energy

Shell Foundation and FMO Collaborate to Help Achieve Clean Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Press Release: Announcing the launch of the US$120 million Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund to provide affordable access to energy for homes and businesses Amsterdam, Netherlands – December 5, 2019 Shell Foundation, a UK-registered charity, together with FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, announces the launch of the US$120 million Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF), with…

Nigeria Off-Grid Market Accelerator Programme – Annual Impact Report

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The Nigeria Off-Grid Market Acceleration Programme(NOMAP) is an independent market accelerator that aims to address market barriers limiting energy access in Nigeria. Supported by Shell Foundation, USAID and most recently DFID, NOMAP accelerates the off-grid energy in Nigeria using a mix of research, coordination and direct interventions. Its key attributes such as independence, a focus on result,…

Accelerating access to local currency debt finance for SHS businesses in Uganda

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It is estimated that US$800 million in debt will need to be invested in solar home system (SHS) businesses in Uganda to achieve universal energy access (SDG7). For the long-term sustainability of the off-grid solar sector, there is a need for local banks and financial institutions to recognise this opportunity and play a central role in…

How do you really know what your customer wants? M-KOPA Lab’s journey in launching a pay-as-you-go fridge

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It’s possible to “design things right” and yet not “design the right things”. In a short report, M-KOPA Labs shares lessons learnt from developing its solar-powered PAYG Fridge and how its customers helped M-KOPA Labs to get the product “right”. Download the full report Everyone wants a fridge, right? Market surveys regularly record refrigerators in the…

SF portfolio CEO named on working group for Indian Social Stock Exchange

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Vineet Rai, founder and CEO of long-term SF portfolio partner Aavishkaar, has been appointed to a working group advising on the creation of an Indian Social Stock Exchange (SSE) and help channel funding into social enterprises. Vineet will join a 15-member panel and represent India’s private equity and venture capital industry. The panel also includes…

SF and UK Government launch new £30m partnership to increase energy access for smallholder farmers

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Globally an estimated 1.5 billion people live in smallholder households. In Asia and sub-Saharan Africa smallholder farmers produce up to 80% of the food consumed. As a group, however, smallholder farmers are among some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in the world – struggling with food security, energy availability, market access, training and climate…

New GOGLA report: Powering Opportunity in East Africa

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As political leaders look to accelerate progress towards reaching the sustainable development goals, the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) has produced more evidence to show off-grid solar’s role as ‘a power tool for change’. The new GOGLA report series follows last year’s ground-breaking Powering Opportunity research and confirms the positive socio-economic impact of solar home…

A Community of Champions – Supporting ongoing exchange between public, private and development sectors

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What is the Community of Champions? The Community of Champions – supported by GOGLA, World Bank/ESMAP, Shell Foundation, USAID/Power Africa, the UK Government and SEforAll – was formed as an opportunity for ongoing exchange between governments, the private sector and development partners to work collaboratively towards creating a supportive policy environment to help achieve universal…

Sending energy home: Bboxx helping Rwandan diaspora fund energy access for friends and family

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As part of our continued strive to discover innovative technologies and business models that bring improved energy access, we have recently supported Bboxx – alongside our co-funding partner the UK Government – to launch a new payment platform that allows Rwandans to ‘send energy home’ from anywhere in the world. Friends and family can use…