ADA at the Energy Access Investment Forum: maximising the socio-economic impact of energy access

In April, ADA sponsored the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF 2025) organised by the Alliance for Rural Electrification in Kampala, Uganda. This forum is an essential platform for accelerating investment in sustainable rural electrification on the African continent. 

ADA presented its innovative approach at the forum. This approach seeks to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations in rural areas of West Africa, by guaranteeing them access to energy while improving their economic inclusion. The NGO is working to integrate green energy solutions, not only for domestic use, but above all as for a driver of local economic development, through the productive use of energy (PUE) by rural entrepreneurs.

Financing the productive use of energy

Speaking at the forum, Marina Abboud, head of the Access to Basic Services programme at ADA, underlined the strategic importance of financing the PUE in rural areas. She highlighted a results-based financing mechanism that links financial support to concrete performance criteria, thereby reducing the risks for financial institutions and promoting access to equipment adapted to income-generating activities.

"ADA is encouraging microfinance institutions to support the productive use of energy in order to guarantee sustainable access to electricity for vulnerable rural populations", said Marina Abboud.

An interactive workshop with Geres to share best practices

ADA also jointly organised, with the NGO Geres, a collaborative workshop in World Café format entitled "PURE: Do's and Don'ts - Boost Your Mini-Grid Impact". Attended by around thirty professionals from the sector, this workshop identified best practices and pitfalls to avoid in order to maximise the impact of the PUE.

The discussions focused on three key themes:

• Access to production equipment, with an emphasis on adaptation to local environments.
• Support for rural entrepreneurs, through integrated support services and accessible business models.
• Access to finance, with particular attention paid to diversifying solutions (subsidies, prepaid "pay as you go" offers, tontines, etc.) and training for financial institutions.

These recommendations will feed into ADA's Green Energy for Rural Development (EVER) programme, aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem around solar mini-grids.

SAM 2025 in Kenya

The discussions will continue during Africa Inclusive Finance Week (SAM), which will be held from 13 to 17 October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. ADA will be organising a workshop during the week to raise awareness among financial institutions of the importance of financing the PUE, highlighting the economic opportunities and social impacts associated with rural electrification.