Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) 2023

250+ participants joined the Renewable Energy Forum Africa in Nairobi, which took place on 4-6 October 2023
800 meetings were facilitated between investors and project developers
Over USD 13 million (EUR 12.4 million) in business deals was announced during the 3-day event

The Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 4-6 October 2023. The conference, organised by SolarPower Europe and the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), and supported by GET.invest*, saw 250+ participants gather to meet, exchange, and do business.

REFA is the meeting place for African renewable energy projects and finance. Throughout the 3-day event, over 800 meetings were facilitated on-site between renewable energy players and investors.

Simultaneously, the conference sessions hosted several insightful panel discussions and presentations on the most pressing topics for renewables in Africa. These topics included solar, wind, green hydrogen, storage and e-mobility. Across the board, there are synergies in the challenges that the different technologies are facing, which include: access to finance, lack of grid infrastructure, and the need for skills.

Key speakers made contributions to the opening sessions:

"These events are crucial for securing investment. We have a huge opportunity for providing energy access and reducing the carbon footprint of the continent."

– José Mestre, GET.invest Mozambique Country Coordinator.

"Africa is a key pillar of the EU Global Gateway package, designed together with the African Union to support investment in the green energy transition. Green hydrogen is essential for decarbonising hard to electrify sectors, and also for industry and transport. The key to producing green hydrogen at a low cost is renewable energy."

Carla Montesi

Director for the Green Deal and Digital Agenda at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships

SolarPower Europe and AFSIA, with the support of GET.invest, hosted a delegation from Mozambique to attend the event in Nairobi. The delegation included Inocencio Gujamo from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MZ); Sergio Moreno, Mozambique Energy Regulator; Anibal Mbalango, Mozambique Tax Authority; and Nelza Mbanze, Agency for Investment and Export Promotion.

"The Mozambican government has shown its commitment with a goal for universal energy access by 2030. Off-grid projects are really important when we are trying to reach rural communities. We are now close to about 300,000 solar home systems in the Mozambican market - 60% of this has been achieved in the last 2 years."

- Ricardo Costa Pereira, President of Mozambique Renewable Energy Association, AMER.

During the week, a number of renewable energy deals were announced at the conference, including:

A results-based finance grant of USD 3.1 million (EUR 2.94 million) for the development of a 3.7 MW solar mini-grid in the Democratic Republic of Congo, awarded by CEI Africa and GreenMax Capital Group to the company Nuru.

The commissioning of a hybrid solar + hydro project (with 120 kW solar capacity) between SolarNow BV and HydroBox, to be built near Baricho town, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. This will power 150 households, 8 schools, 2 medical facilities and 10 business, throughout the whole year.

A USD 10 million (EUR 9.48 million) partnership between CrossBoundary Access and Mobile Power, to deploy solar-powered mobile battery charging hubs in Nigeria, providing energy access to 300,000 people.

The REFA event is incredibly important to the scaling up of renewable energy across Africa. We are proud to be adding to our track record of matching great projects with willing investors, mobilizing funding for renewables across Africa.

*GET.invest is a European programme which aims to mobilise investment in renewable energy, supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Austria.