APRA Investment Forum 2025
The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) is an African-led alliance of governments, as well as public and private sector stakeholders, working together to accelerate the deployment of renewables-based energy systems. Its strategic goals are to expand energy access, promote green industrialisation, and strengthen economic and societal resilience by mobilising finance, engaging private partners, and enhancing technical capacity.
Currently, APRA’s member countries include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The partnership receives active support from Denmark, Germany, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America, with IRENA serving as its secretariat and a dedicated office under UNOPS established to support implementation.
Following the first APRA Investment Forum, which was organised in Nairobi, Kenya in 2024 with the aim of developing and implementing a robust pipeline of energy transition projects, the second APRA Investment Forum, co-hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), is scheduled to take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 22-23 October 2025. The Forum will be preceded by 2 invitation-only pre-forum days dedicated to Finance training, project pitching and technical assistance.
The Forum will feature both multi-stakeholder discussions and project matchmaking. High-level and expert sessions will address investment priorities, enabling frameworks, innovative financing solutions, and the development of supply chains across APRA countries. Additionally, dedicated sessions will explore on-the-ground challenges faced by developers and financiers that hinder creating a bankable project pipeline, expanding capital mobilisation, and utilising critical minerals for energy transition efforts in APRA nations.
A Technical Assistance space will be available throughout the event, providing developers with access to the expertise and advisory services of IRENA and partners. Matchmaking sessions will facilitate connections between project proponents and potential investors and financiers. After the Forum, targeted project facilitation activities will be conducted in each APRA country to promote local engagement and ensure alignment with national contexts.
Agenda
| Freetown, Sierra Leone |
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| 9:00 – 17:00 |
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The training will include representatives of project developers, investors, and financial institutions and will begin with a brief presentation of IRENA’s project facilitation tools, followed by a deep dive into the project finance modules. The day will close with exercises to allow participants to test what they have learnt through case studies. The event will only be attended by the invited participants. |
| Freetown, Sierra Leone |
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| 9:00 – 17:00 |
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The project pitching session provides an opportunity for local developers to showcase projects before IRENA experts. This interactive "shark tank" format allows participants to present ideas and receive valuable feedback. Technical assistance bilateral sessions offer consultation on project development with project proponents, evaluating readiness and relevance for Climate Investment Platform (CIP) and Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF) support, while serving as tool for understanding risk management strategies. |
| Freetown, Sierra Leone |
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| 9:00 – 9:20 |
| Opening of the 2nd Investment Forum for Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) |
| 9:20 – 11:00 |
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Ministerial Debate APRA Ministers will reflect on their respective national priorities and strategies, and discuss real-life challenges faced by their countries. These discussions will set the stage for the ensuing dialogues within the Forum, ensuring the conversations are grounded and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes. |
| 11:00 – 11:30 |
| Coffee Break |
| 11:30 – 13:00 |
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SESSION 1: From potential to prosperity: structural change and socio-economic dimension of the energy transition for sustainable development in the global South This session addresses structural challenges hindering just and equitable energy transitions in Global South, focusing on reframing the global energy transition narrative for African development contexts. Through regional experiences and innovative approaches, it advances understanding of financial and institutional frameworks for sustainable energy futures. Expected outcomes include reframed narrative anchored in regional dynamics, enhanced understanding of financial architecture, and policy insights on industrial development and local renewable energy value chains. |
| 13:00 – 14:30 |
| Lunch |
| 14:30 – 16:00 |
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SESSION 2: High-Level Dialogue on Financing Opportunities available to APRA countries This high-level dialogue is designed to explore opportunities availed by financiers to bridge the investment gap. Various facilities and initiatives have been established through bilateral and multilateral partnerships to mobilise adequate investment by providing concessional debt and blended finance opportunities alongside risk mitigation instruments. However, these facilities consistently struggle to meet their disbursement targets for a range of reasons. This session will also aim to address the causes of these low disbursement rates and will showcase potential financing opportunities. |
| 16:00 |
| End of Day 1 |
| Freetown, Sierra leone |
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| 09:00 – 10:30 |
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SESSION 3: Leveraging Africa’s Critical Mineral Resources to Accelerate the Continent’s Energy Transition and Green Industrialization This session explores how APRA countries can accelerate energy transitions through partnerships leveraging global decarbonization by unlocking critical mineral reserves. As clean energy demand accelerates, APRA nations are positioned as reliable suppliers while driving renewable industrialisation. The dialogue examines how resources can fast-track energy transitions and position APRA states as trusted suppliers. Panelists will discuss policy and financing frameworks linking governments, industry leaders, and development partners to transform mineral wealth into renewable energy and green industrial value chains. |
| 10:30 – 11:00 |
| Coffee Break |
| 11:00 – 12:30 |
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SESSION 4: Implementing Energy Transition Projects: Insights from Project Developers and Financiers This session will explore developers’ experiences in deploying energy transition projects, highlighting key challenges and opportunities encountered along the way. Attendees will have the chance to share best practices and showcase successful renewable energy project implementations. Additionally, financiers will contribute insights from their perspective, discussing the origination and evaluation of renewable energy investments. The session will also address strategies for developers to avoid costly mistakes that could impact project valuation and bankability, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and best practice sharing. |
| 12:30 – 13:30 |
| Lunch |
| 13:30 – 17:30 |
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Matchmaking between Project Developers, Investors and Financiers (Facilitated by IRENA) This matchmaking session connects public and private project proponents with potential financial and commercial partners. IRENA will screen all participating projects to ensure they are sufficiently advanced and suitable for investment consideration. The session features pre-booked meetings between project developers and financiers, alongside an exhibition area where invited financial partners can review detailed project information.
Project Exhibition Area (in parallel) The exhibition area will highlight additional projects from the region and offers the opportunity to network with a diverse group of stakeholders who aim to advance the energy transition. |
| 17:30 – 18:00 |
| Investment Forum Closing |