About the event
The African School of Regulation (ASR), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR), the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hosted an international online conference on sustainable and scalable minigrid business models. The event explored the regulatory conditions, business models, and financial approaches needed to accelerate minigrid deployment and advance universal electricity access in Africa.
Minigrids have an important role to play in reaching underserved communities. Realising their potential requires financially viable business models that can attract investment, sustain operations, and expand to meet electrification needs while ensuring reliable and affordable electricity supply.
The conference examined lessons from past and current minigrid experiences, with discussions covering tariffs, subsidies, concessions, financing, demand growth, and the relationship between minigrids and the main grid. It brought together developers, policymakers, regulators, development finance institutions, private companies, researchers, and other stakeholders to consider practical approaches to sustainability and scalability in support of Sustainable Development Goal 7.
Conference Structure
- Day 1. Minigrid Business Models: Learning from Past and Current Experiences: An examination of the minigrid sector, including donor-supported, market-like, and concession-like business models, and lessons from their implementation.
- Day 2. Minigrid Business Models: Challenges and Solutions: Discussions on regulation for inclusive and sustainable minigrids, approaches to achieving scale, and the practical steps needed to support deployment.
- Day 3. Sustainable Business Models for Minigrids: The Way Forward; A review of key lessons and outstanding regulatory, business model, and financial challenges, followed by discussions on an action plan.
The event featured moderated panels and roundtable discussions, with opportunities for registered participants to submit questions and comments.
Conference Recording