Over 2 million lives impacted so far in Sub-Saharan Africa
Date & time: 15 November, 16:00-16:45 (GST)
Location: COP29 venue, Nordic pavilion, Blue Zone
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa is arranging a side event during Energy day on 15 November at the Nordic pavilion during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), which is taking place from 11-22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Watch the live streaming
The event will be livestreamed from the Nordic Pavilion:
Event description
Results-based financing has effectively accelerated access to clean energy in rural areas and supported Africa’s green transition and technological innovation.
What are the opportunities and challenges of scaling the off-grid sector in the future? The event will focus on impacts achieved so far and the best way to drive private sector growth.
Event agenda
16:00: Welcoming words by Ash Sharma, Head of MCFA and Vice President, Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank
16:05: Opening words by Erik Korsgren, Acting director, Trade, private sector and financial instruments at Sida
16:10: Panel discussion with Liliane Munezero Ndabaneze, CEO, Women’s Initiative for Delivering Clean Energy to Africa (online), Erik Korsgren, Acting director, Trade, private sector and financial instruments at Sida, Kat Harrison, Director, 60 Decibels.
13:40: Q&A session
Moderator: Ash Sharma
Speakers

Liliane Munezero Ndabaneze
CEO of Women’s Initiative for Delivering Clean Energy to Africa
Ndabaneze is a pioneering entrepreneur and leader dedicated to empowering women through renewable energy. As CEO and Co-Founder of WidEnergy Africa Ltd, has made a significant impact in improving the lives of women and girls in Zambia. Before relocating to Zambia, Liliane gained valuable experience working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in both Burundi and Washington, D.C. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and is deeply passionate about women’s empowerment.

Erik Korsgren
Acting head of trade, private sector & financial instruments at Sida
Korsgren leads Sida´s programs for market systems development, trade and collaboration with the private sector, including credit guarantees. Korsgren is formerly Sida CFO, Deputy Director of Sida´s Africa Department, Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassies in Addis Ababa and Dar es Salaam. He has extensive experience of working with development cooperation and development finance. Korsgren holds an MBA specializing in International Business awarded by the University of Uppsala, Sweden.

Kat Harrison
Director of 60 Decibels
Harrison developed the sector’s first impact benchmark through the Lean Data work in energy; 60 Decibels’ flagship sector. Previously, Harrison was Associate Director of Impact at Acumen and Director of Research & Impact at SolarAid. Harrison Chaired the Impact Working Group of the global off-grid energy sector association (GOGLA) from 2013-17, leading the development of the standardised Impact Metrics for energy access. Harrison was recognised as a Young Leader in Renewable Energy by Recharge, was finalist for the Red magazine Women of the Year award for her work, and launched the 2015 UNESCO International Year of Light alongside HRH Duke of York.

Ash Sharma
Head of MCFA and Vice President at Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank
Sharma is a climate, environmental finance, policy and investment specialist with over 30 years of experience in over 60 countries, with a current focus on Africa. Sharma has served on various international climate change steering and working groups for Nordic Council of Ministers, UNEP, World Bank, G8 and G20 and has been an adviser to the European Commission, Innovate UK and the Climate Policy Initiative.
Background information
The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa, managed by Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank – and funded by Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Germany has established a portfolio of some 30 companies with the aim to create access to electricity for up to 8.7 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2029.