According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Covid-19 pandemic “is now behind us”. But the activities of the Covid-19 Off-Grid Recovery Platform are being extended with $20 million in funding. This was announced by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is providing USD 13 million of the funding.
The other part of the financing, i.e. 7 million dollars, is provided by the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a special multi-donor fund managed by the AfDB.
Launched by the pan-African bank just after the Covid-19 pandemic, this $50 million facility will be active for 5 years. During this period, the platform will support companies that install green mini-grids, solar home systems, clean cooking systems and other renewable energy access solutions. The aim is to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and ensure a robust commercial recovery of the green off-grid sector in Africa.
According to the Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based financial institution, the Covid-19 Off-Grid Recovery Platform has already provided “flexible” financing to 12 energy access providers that are marketing and deploying solar home systems, mini-grids and solar irrigation solutions for commercial and industrial use.
The 1st phase of this post-Covid-19 stimulus programme has already received $20 million from fund managers Lion’s Head Global Partners, Triple Jump, and Social Investment Managers and Advisors. Just after its launch in December 2020, the programme received an initial $20 million in funding from SEFA.
