- The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved the sum of $7 million to support mini-grid deployment across the continent.
- The funds will support the Africa Mini-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (AMAP), aiming to boost private investment in the clean mini-grids deployment.
As part of its drive to accelerate mini-grid development on the continent, the Board of Directors of the AfDB have approved $7 million to promote clean mini-grid developments. The funds will be made available via its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) and boost investments in clean min-grid projects. The fund is part fo the AfDB’s efforts to scale mini-grid deployment in Africa and support the bank’s Africa Mini-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (AMAP).
The AMAP which is a aims to boost private sector investment in clean mini-grids.The programme aims to achieve this goal via four main pillars; Opening New Markets, Catalytic Support, Strengthening the Ecosystem, and Programme Management. Under this programme’s initial phase, the AfDB estimates that there will be 880,000 new clean energy powered mini-grid connections. The total capacity of the projects under the programme will be 80MW, enough to provide energy to about 4 million unserved people on the continent. The first phase is also expected to create full-time employment for about 7,200 people, 25 per cent of which will be women. The programme is also expected to promote mini-grid investments from both the public and private sectors to the tune of S$650 million according to the AfDB’s estimates.
According to Kevin Kariuki, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, “AMAP underscores the African Development Bank’s commitment to strengthening the mini-grid industry in Africa, which we see as a key driver for accelerating energy access, climate resilience and a green recovery from Covid-19”.
I am not sure if the “maths” of this adds up?
Can $7m alone provide 80MW with 880k new connections?
I would doubt that….except there is something else missing in this report.
The $7m is only part of the funding to support the Africa Mini-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (AMAP). The AMAP is what is expected to provide 80MW cumulative projects when completed.