Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda – exploring what’s needed to deliver a low-carbon energy access in three markets

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Today we launch our latest research at the COP26 conference in Glasgow, looking at what is needed to deliver a low-carbon universal energy access in three key markets – Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda – and highlighting potentially disruptive ‘game-changers’ for each market. The country deep dives represent the third phase of the research, conducted by…

‘Moving Boundaries Campaign’ – A 40-day Tour Promoting Safe Transport for Women Across India

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Shell Foundation is supporting a 40-day tour of India that will raise awareness of gender opportunities in mobility sector. In partnership with the Moving Women Social Initiatives Foundation (MOWO) the Moving Boundaries campaign is covering 11,111+ kms of India’s boundary, unlocking the potential of women in sustainable mobility. About the Moving Boundaries Campaign The campaign…

Looking beyond SDG7: wider socioeconomic benefits of off-grid solar

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840 million people worldwide still lack access to energy, the majority of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. Off-grid solar is playing a key role in helping to lower this number — by end 2019, 280 million people had enjoyed an improved electricity access thanks to an off-grid solar source.[1] To do this, we commissioned Altai…

Digitizing & unlocking climate finance for the off-grid Sector

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Achieving energy access (SDG7) while tackling climate change (SDG13): Learnings and next steps post a proof-of-concept implementation It is a global responsibility to end energy poverty through access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy, whilst tackling climate change. Energy access acts as a catalyst for the growth of developing societies and economies. Yet, clean energy…

How can SME funds optimise to attract more capital?

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Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets are critical to driving economic growth, creating jobs and working toward the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing up to 60% of employment and 40% of national income. These SMEs face a significant financing gap, which is at risk of widening during the current Covid-19 crisis. Increasing access…

Tech Startups Offer New Answers to African Transport Woes. How Can Cities Capitalize?

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This blog originally appeared on the CityFix website. See the full study report The fundamentals of urban mobility are changing rapidly. Apps like Uber and Lyft are becoming ubiquitous around the world and new modes like electric and shared bicycles and scooters are on the rise. The conversation is increasingly trending toward mobility as a…

Harvesting energy means breaking down silos

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by Seth Silverman and Morgan DeFoort, Factor[e] Ventures Smallholder farmers are among the most underserved populations in the world – and there are a lot of them. Over 2 billion livelihoods are supported by small farms, with the majority residing in the developing world [1]. We know that smallholders can be more productive and can…

From vulnerability to empowerment: how women in India are driving change through unconventional occupations

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Shell Foundation’s India Business Analyst Tanya Kothari gives her personal point of view, using her experience of SF’s work in the  area of increasing gender inclusion in the mobility value chain. The article, co-authored with Aishwarya Raman, Head of Research at the Ola Mobility Institute, discusses how India should embark on a journey to better the balance of…

Market Insight Early-stage ‘Blended Finance’ for Universal Energy Access in Africa

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Grant-makers, donors, impact investors and development financiers must combine to leverage the $33 billion funding that energy enterprises require to meet Africa’s basic energy needs by 2030. Larger, more agile “blended” finance vehicles – providing early-stage funding at the right time at the right scale – are needed to enable this. The Portuguese city of…

Capital needs to connect off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa

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SF Director Sam Parker and Catalyst CEO Dan Murphy discussed the report recently in an online webinar hosted by the Clean Energy Solutions Center in partnership with the United Nations Foundation Energy Access Practitioner Network, and took questions from an audience including investors, developers and supporters of the off-grid sector. Taking stock after 15 years…