Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa

 

Bringing clean, affordable, off-grid energy access to millions

Funding round open in Mozambique

Funding round open in Mozambique

Ongoing funding round in Mozambique to support solutions for productive use of energy closes on 13 September

BGFA is launching a new funding round in Mozambique targeted at productive-use-of-energy (PUE) providers across a range of fields, including agriculture, food processing and distribution, fishing and e-mobility. PUE solutions linked to mini-grids are also eligible. Read the Application Guidelines, register to the online system and apply for funding by 13 September.

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BGFA Results Report 2023

BGFA Results Report 2023

BGFA in 2023: Over one million lives impacted so far

Established clean energy access through BGFA in 2023 is benefitting 1,500 African businesses and impacting a total of 1.2 million lives across five Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2023, approx. 210,600 energy service subscriptions were provided, bringing total subscriptions up to 240,700 by the end of the year. This has generated 6,500 MWh of clean electricity and reducing 15,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions.

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New BGFA investees

New BGFA investees

Mini-grid deployments scaling up access to clean electricity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

A new agreement has been signed with Nuru Société par Actions Simplifée Unipersonnelle (Nuru SASU) to scale up the development of new mini-grids in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which will provide access to clean energy in the northeastern part of the country. The implemented project will provide access to electricity for residential, commercial and institutional customers in peri-urban and urban areas.

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Solar-powered off-grid energy solutions in Uganda supporting development in rural communities

Two new agreements have been signed with Koolboks Ltd and Equatorial Power Ltd in Uganda to scale up access to solar-powered cooling solutions and develop new mini-grids in the country. Access to electricity and off-grid refrigeration will allow small and medium-sized businesses in rural communities to establish new ventures to support economic development in these areas.

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Programme overview

Programme overview

Programme overview

Our new brochure provides an overview of the BGFA programme, country specific targets and funders. The overall programme aim is to establish up to 1.44 million energy connections and benefit more than 6.5 million people by 2028.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

 

What is the Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa?

What is the Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa?

Kick-starting markets for clean, off-grid energy in Africa

Building on the experience from an award-winning innovative approach tested in Zambia

BGFA was set-up in 2019 on the initiative of the Swedish Government, building on the successful, award-winning initial pilot phase in Zambia, the Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia (BGFZ). BGFA is an ambitious multi-donor funding facility that aims to kick-start markets for clean, off-grid energy in Sub-Saharan African countries. It works through a combination of an innovative results-based financing mechanisms for energy companies, close cooperation with governments and real-time data collection and analysis.

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Our impact

A mini-grid for Ngwerere
Zambia
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Cecelia & Godfrey Miti:

A mini-grid for Ngwerere

How a mini-grid is changing the lives of Cecelia, Godfrey and the rest of their community in Ngwerere, on the edge of Lusaka.

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Flexible payments for solar lighting
Zambia
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Steven Miyoba:

Flexible payments for solar lighting

How off-grid solutions have made a positive impact on Steven’s family life on the outskirts of Lusaka.

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Agent of impact
Zambia
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Lister Sithole & Kennedy Matabula:

Agent of impact

How the Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia has brought new opportunities and optimism to Lister and Kennedy in a rural community in Chongwe, east of the Zambian capital of ...

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BGFA has not yet generated any own impacts, but the decision to expand the concept into Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Liberia, Uganda and a new funding round in Zambia builds on the experiences of the pilot programme Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia (BGFZ) and early positive experiences in terms of rural and peri-urban customers’ interest in buying affordable off-grid energy service connections, mobilised private capital and strong social and gender outcomes.

 

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We would like to engage with…

We would like to engage with…

Are you in the renewable energy business and are looking for funding opportunities?

If you are interested in exploring new markets or scaling up your off-grid renewable energy business, please check back with us for future funding rounds.

For more information on our past funding rounds click below.

Funding rounds

Are you shaping energy policies in your country?

We are keen to work together with policy makers in and beyond BGFA in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Zambia, Mozambique and Uganda.

Please get in touch and help us shape the programme based on your valuable insights and knowledge of the markets. If BGFA is not yet looking at your country but you think the programme would be a good fit, please also get in touch.

BGFA countries

Who’s involved?

 

BGFA was established as a separate funding facility by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (Nefco) in 2019 on Sweden’s initiative and has swiftly developed into a multi-donor programme. The BGFA programme is administered by Nefco and implemented in partnership with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP). Power Africa, an initiative administered by USAID, is providing a considerable in-kind technical assistance contribution, and Denmark and Germany have joined to fund activities in, respectively, Uganda and Zambia.

Find out more about who’s involved with BGFA

 

Team
who's involved
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Funder:
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa was established on Sweden’s initiative in 2019, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Sweden is contributing SEK 835 million (EUR 80 million) to the BGFA programme, with contributions coming from the local embassies in target countries.

Visit the Sida website

Power Africa
Funder:
Power Africa

Power Africa is a U.S. government-led partnership that brings together the collective resources of over 170 public and private sector partners to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Power Africa’s goal is to add more than 30,000 megawatts (MW) of new electricity generation capacity and connect 60 million new homes and businesses to power by 2030. In 2020, Power Africa joined BGFA with the aim to provide an in-kind contribution worth approx. EUR 4 million (USD 4.5 million) over three years in order to help operationalise the initiative and develop a pipeline of commercially viable projects within the framework of BGFA.

Visit the Power Africa website

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Funder:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Denmark joined the BGFA in 2020 to support the expansion to Uganda. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has contributed with DKK 117.5 million (EUR 15.8 million), for a period for 5 years.

Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

KfW Development Bank
Funder:
KfW Development Bank

Germany joined the BGFA in 2021 and is contributing EUR 7.5 million, through the KfW Development Bank. Germany is jointly with Sweden funding the Zambian country programme, aiming at supporting private companies to establish and scale innovative and sustainable business models with focus on mini-grids.

Visit the KfW website

Norad - The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
Funder:
Norad - The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

Norad joined BGFA in 2022 and is contributing EUR 19 million (NOK 200 million) for supporting the acceleration of affordable energy access in underserved communities with the focus on supporting the BGFA-selected energy service providers in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Uganda and Zambia.

Visit the Norad website

Nordic Environment Finance Corporation
Facility Manager:
Nordic Environment Finance Corporation

The Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (Nefco) set up the Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa on behalf of Sweden and has since then developed it into a multi-donor programme. As Facility Manager, Nefco is responsible for its overall delivery. Owned by the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) Nefco is an international financial institution (IFI) with 30 years of experience in financing exclusively green projects. Besides making investments through its own capital, Nefco manages a considerable number of trust funds and its trust fund processes fulfil EU requirements. Nefco is also accredited by the Green Climate Fund. Nefco is currently working with a number of potential additional donors.

Visit the Nefco website

NIRAS
Project Implementation Partner:
NIRAS

NIRAS is a development and engineering consultancy company headquartered in Denmark with offices in over 25 countries across Europe, Africa, South Asia and Latin America and extensive experience in programme management and implementation of internationally financed technical assistance facilities and funds for various public sector clients. 

Visit the NIRAS website

 

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership
Project Implementation Partner:
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is an international non-profit organisation that works to kick-start markets for clean energy and energy efficiency solutions in low- and middle-income countries. REEEP co-designed and is implementing the Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia and is one of the Project Implementation Partners for the Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa.

Visit the REEEP website

Latest news

Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024
en
Event
Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024
Date: 08/10/2024 - 10/10/2024
location: Nairobi

The 8th Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo 2024 is the off-grid sector’s leading meeting place. The Forum will feature powerful discussions, showcase innovative technologies, and create spaces to unlock ...

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Announcement of new consultancy assignment – Mid-term evaluation
ZambiaBurkina FasoMozambiqueLiberiaUgandaDemocratic Republic of the CongoSouth Africa
en
News
Announcement of new consultancy assignment – Mid-term evaluation

We are seeking a consultant to carry out a mid-term evaluation of the BGFA programme. Submit your Expression of Interest by 11 October 2024. Nefco as the facility manager of ...

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Aberta a nova chamada para financiamento de soluções de Uso Produtivo de Energia em Moçambique 
Mozambique
en
News
Aberta a nova chamada para financiamento de soluções de Uso Produtivo de Energia em Moçambique 

O Programa Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) lança uma nova chamada de financiamento em Moçambique para apoiar a expansão de soluções de uso produtivo de energia (UPE). Esta é ...

Read More
Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024
en
Event
Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024
Date: 08/10/2024 - 10/10/2024
Location: Nairobi

The 8th Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo 2024 is the off-grid sector’s leading meeting place. The Forum will feature powerful discussions, showcase innovative technologies, and create spaces to unlock ...

Read More
Announcement of new consultancy assignment – Mid-term evaluation
ZambiaBurkina FasoMozambiqueLiberiaUgandaDemocratic Republic of the CongoSouth Africa
en
News
Announcement of new consultancy assignment – Mid-term evaluation

We are seeking a consultant to carry out a mid-term evaluation of the BGFA programme. Submit your Expression of Interest by 11 October 2024. Nefco as the facility manager of ...

Read More
Aberta a nova chamada para financiamento de soluções de Uso Produtivo de Energia em Moçambique 
Mozambique
en
News
Aberta a nova chamada para financiamento de soluções de Uso Produtivo de Energia em Moçambique 

O Programa Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) lança uma nova chamada de financiamento em Moçambique para apoiar a expansão de soluções de uso produtivo de energia (UPE). Esta é ...

Read More

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News & Events

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