- Abidjan will host the 2023 edition of the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) from March 21 to 23.
- The event focused on issue of financing access to renewable energy.
The Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast from March 21-23, 2023. The event, hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), will bring together financiers, energy and climate investors, development finance institutions, international financing partners, government representatives, and private companies to discuss the issue of financing access to renewable energy. EAIF 2023 is organized by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), which has partnered with other organizations such as Engie Energy Access and Schneider Electric. The event will feature 20 exhibitors and 80 speakers, including representatives from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), British investment company InfraCo Africa, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Despite a huge potential for renewable energy in Africa, the continent accounts for only 0.6% of the $434 billion invested in renewable energy worldwide, with investments dropping by 35% in 2021. The event will aim to address this issue and discuss ways to increase investments in renewable energy in Africa. The involvement of key financial partners such as AfDB and SEFA, who have recently released over $137 million for electrification projects in Niger, is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this goal.