“We are very pleased to have received a good overall market response to our Call for Proposals in DRC and that the 29 applications present a good mix of technologies,” said Dennis Hamro-Drotz, Senior Programme Manager at Nefco.
Applications passing the initial screening are spread between different technologies, including mini-grid, solar home system (SHS) and productive use of energy projects. The funding proposals submitted by the eligible applicants represent 7.4 times the available funding.
The aim of this fourth BGFA funding round is to enable the establishment of up to 110,000 energy connections and some 50 high-tier productive use connections that will benefit more than 500,000 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The indicative individual contract ticket size per company is expected to be EUR 1-5 million.
Sweden is supporting the expansion of the BGFA programme to DRC to help the country build up a sustainable energy system and increase the affordability of off-grid solutions, and it will form an important part of the Swedish engagement in poverty reduction and sustainable development in the country.
“The high number of applications shows the large potential of the BGFA programme in DRC. We look forward to seeing the final outcome of the funding round and how increased access to electricity will contribute to improved livelihoods for the Congolese population,” commented Gustav Isaksson, Programme Officer Environment, Climate and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources at the Swedish Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Call for Proposals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (BGFA4) was open for applications between 21 June and 29 August 2022 through an online system. The aim of the first stage was to check Applicants’ compliance with the key eligibility criteria and minimum technical and financial capacity requirements. Applicants passing the first stage evaluation will be invited to proceed to a Final Application stage in November 2022. Further information will be made available directly to the applicants through the online application system.
For further information, please contact:
Dennis Hamro-Drotz, Senior Programme Manager at Nefco
dennis.hamro-drotz@nefco.int, +358 10 6180 641
