This report from our Energy Working Group and the Africa LEDS Partnership (AfLP) highlights key outcomes from the inaugural meeting of the Africa Minigrids Community of Practice, held on 27 June 2017 in Cotonou, Benin.

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The potential for applying renewable energy-based minigrid systems in Africa is enormous, particularly as Africa’s renewable power potential substantially exceeds its current and projected power consumption needs. Studies consistently demonstrate that renewable energy technologies are the most economical solution for off-grid and minigrid electrification in remote areas. Despite this opportunity, uptake of minigrid systems at the community, private sector, utility, and hybrid levels remains underwhelming throughout much of Africa.

Responding to this challenge, AfLP members formed the Africa Minigrids Community of Practice. The inauguration workshop in Benin saw representatives from ten African countries come together to establish rules of engagement, determine common challenges and priority areas, gather input for the community of practice work plan, and explore the options for integrating minigrids into national development priorities.

This workshop report includes key objectives of the workshop, priority issues identified by members, and the suggested work program for 2017 and beyond. The group settled on the following two themes to take forward in the work program:

Business models for the the implementation of minigrids 

• What successful business cases exist and can they be replicated, and if so how?
• What key standards and lessons learned exist for the bankability of projects?
• What are the appropriate roles of governments, project developers and investors?
• How can governments, project developers, investors, academia, and local communities come together to discuss the path forward?

Enabling policy environment and governance design for minigrid implementation

• How can multi-level and multi-stakeholder consultation be organized for the implementation of minigrids?
• What is the best guidance on permitting processes, standards, guidebooks, and accreditation processes that are affordable, reliable, and in the community’s interest?
• How to build continuity in governance and long-term knowledge management?

Download the full report here

Photo: DFID/Flickr