The “India Covid Response Programme for Agriculture Transition” was formally launched last week with more than 400 people attending a virtual event. The work done by all the programme partners to get the facility over the line was acknowledged and there were insights on the tremendous impact this Programme will have on lending for clean…
The Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF) has completed its first three investments into distributed renewable energy (DRE) companies working in Sub-Saharan Africa, and signed a concessional loan agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) that allows the fund to continue releasing flexible capital into the sector, which is making a critical contribution to expanding energy…
The Uganda Off-Grid Energy Market Accelerator (UOMA) recently released a report examining the demand-side barriers to financing for off-grid solar businesses. Though it is well recognised that off-grid solar will play a major role in closing Uganda’s current electrification gap, a significant funding shortfall threatens the country’s efforts. It has been estimated that…
In the 10 years since its founding, Persistent has built a venture building model that has invested in businesses providing PAYGO solar home systems as well as commercial and industrial solar, ecosystem enablers and e-mobility players, delivering financial returns and significant impact, improving more than four million lives across sub-Saharan Africa. Shell Foundation has…
Five mini-grid developers have been selected as part of a pilot programme to test and measure innovative financing mechanisms that can help scale electrification of health clinics across sub-Saharan Africa. Having invited applications to the programme in March, 25 applications were received and evaluated against five criteria: (1) prior experience implementing and maintaining similar projects…
Last mile distribution (LMD) logistics continues to hinder economic growth across rural India, which houses around 70% of the population, contributing to approximately 35% to India’s overall GDP. Inefficiencies in rural logistics have negative impacts on rural economies reliant on self-employment services, agriculture and construction. Tusker Transport – a Shell Foundation partner since 2015 –…
SureChill recently concluded a successful sales pilot of off-grid domestic refrigerators with interesting insights into key triggers and barriers to purchasing decisions. SureChill was founded in 2009 to commercialise a newly patented thermal energy storage technology deemed capable of bringing reliable refrigeration to off-grid and unreliable grid communities. Having initially focused on developing and marketing…
A new impact report, commissioned by Shell Foundation and authored by ENEA Consulting, positions Sustainable Mobility as a unique and budding sector for which solutions are critical given projected demographic growth in developing countries. The report looks at entrepreneur-led B2C Sustainable Mobility solutions in rural and urban settings targeting low-income populations to alleviate multiple mobility challenges in emerging markets,…
As part of the POWERED programme, co- funded with UK aid from the UK government, SF is supporting the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) to integrate technical and financial assistance towards gender-inclusion in India. This study overview appeared originally on CEEW’s website. Overview The study discusses the barriers faced by women micro-entrepreneurs, who are using…
Shell Foundation partner Shortlist recently released a report examining gender representation in the East African energy sector and uncovering how SMEs can attract, retain and advance female talent in digital roles. Shortlist – also supported by our partnership with FCDO – has been a portfolio partner since 2016 and uses technology to identify top talent…