The EAIF is an annual business and political exchange event aimed at bringing together the private and public sector to debate the latest financing trends and developments in the rural electrification sector, do business and boost clean energy access globally and in particular in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 588 million people still lack electricity. Since the first edition of the EAIF held in Madrid in 2015, the Forum has by now become the key flagship event for the DRE sector, organised in spring each year. This year's Forum, originally planned to take place in Lusaka, will be held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. Registration is free and is available at the following link: https://eaif2020.b2match.io/home

 

On 18 March, John Tkacik, REEEP's Director of Analytics and Technology, will give a context-setting presentation at the session on “Innovative technologies to scale finance for DRE projects”, which will take place at 16.30 – 17.45 CET. The presentation will point out the revolution that advancements in technology, digitalisation and data analytics have brought about in improving efficiency and scalability, and ultimately delivering services to people currently without; while at the same time noting that it is contingent on local and donor governments to ensure this revolution happens in an equitable and sustainable way.

 

In a parallel session, Merja Laakso, Head of Programme, Southern Africa, will be among the speakers who will discuss the opportunities and status quo of decentralised renewables in Zambia. Merja will share valuable insights from REEEP’s experience in implementing the Swedish-funded Beyond the Grid Fund for Zambia programme, which has provided clean energy access to over 900,000 Zambians.

 

Full agenda of the Forum is available here.