APRA Investment Forum

Nairobi, Kenya

The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) is an African country-led international alliance of governments and stakeholders working together to accelerate the deployment of renewables-based energy systems to enhance energy access, enable green industrialisation, and improve economic and societal resilience.

Currently, African APRA member countries include Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe, with Denmark, Germany, the UAE, and the US as partner countries; the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as supporting partners; and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) fulfilling the secretariat role.

The Government of Kenya and IRENA will co-host the first forum on October 14-16, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, with two pre-Forum days on October 12-13 fully dedicated to training and project pitching sessions from developers from APRA countries and international developers working in or are interested in working in APRA countries.

The Forum will include both multi-stakeholder discussions and project matchmaking. High level and expert discussions will focus on priorities and investment needs, enabling frameworks, innovative financing instruments, and the development of supply chains in APRA countries.

In addition, the Forum will include dedicated sessions on ground-level challenges faced by developers and financiers that hinder the creation of a bankable pipeline of projects, and the expansion of capital mobilisation. A Technical Assistance space will be open and accessible to all forum participants during the entire week, where developers can access the expertise and advisory services of IRENA and Partners.

In the lead-up to the Investment Forum IRENA will support selected renewable energy projects from APRA countries in document preparation as well as with an initial introduction to potential financiers.

During the Forum, a dedicated, closed-doors space will be available for bilateral discussions and matchmaking sessions between financiers and project proponents to facilitate the advancement of project development to the next level. Additionally, there will be an exhibition area to highlight all of the featured projects and to offer the opportunity to network with a diverse group of stakeholders who aim to advance the energy transition.

Nairobi, Kenya
9:00 – 9:20
Opening of the Investment Forum for  Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA)
9:20 – 11:00

Ministerial Debate
APRA Ministers will reflect on 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 that the conversations are grounded in practical realities and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes.
11:00 – 11:30
Press Conference
11:30 – 13:00

SESSION: High-Level Dialogue on APRA Driving Sustainable Energy Future and Green Industrialization
This session will promote a high-level dialogue among ministers, investors and financial institutions, utilities and industry stakeholders to discuss the ambitions and key components of the APRA implementation with the objective of accelerating renewables-based energy transition and scaling green industrialization. APRA countries are well endowed with many of critical minerals that are essential inputs for renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. Moreover, the countries have the potential to develop energy demand through green industries that will further boost development of renewables. Advancing cross-industry partnerships and investing in renewables, sustainable mining and manufacturing would create new added-value for green industries. If managed effectively, these new resource revenues could spur long-term economic benefits, green job creation and sustainable local development.
13:00 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 16:00

SESSION: Boosting Energy Transition Investments and Finance in APRA Countries
The session will discuss opportunities and challenges for scaling up investments and finance to accelerate the transition. Best practices around policy, regulatory, and financial frameworks to mobilize private capital for large scale deployment of renewable energy solutions will be discussed. Key considerations for creating an investor-friendly environment will be presented while exploring successful innovative financing and business models including demand aggregation and pooled procurement that may reduce transaction costs.
16:00
Coffee break
Nairobi, Kenya
9:00 – 10:30

SESSION: Access to Energy Transition Finance
This session provides financiers with an opportunity to share their experiences in the origination and appraisal of renewable energy projects. The session will also discuss what developers can do to prevent costly mistakes that may adversely affect project valuation and bankability.
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30

SESSION: Developing and Implementing Energy Transition Projects
This session will focus on developers’ experiences across the deployment of energy transition related projects. It will also examine some of the key challenges and opportunities developers face and provide the opportunity to share best practices and examples of the successful implementation of renewable energy projects.
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 17:30

Matchmaking between Project Developers, Investors and Financiers (Facilitated by IRENA)
Session focused on connecting public and private project proponents with potential financial and commercial partners. Projects applying to be a part of the matchmaking event will be screened by IRENA to ensure they are sufficiently advanced and suitable for the event. The format of the session will allow for both pre-booked bilateral meetings between projects and financiers, in addition to an exhibition style room where project information will be on display for the perusal of invited financiers. Developers and financiers will have access to basic information of each other at least 1 week before the event.

Project Exhibition Area
Exhibition area to highlight additional projects from the region and to offer the opportunity to network with a diverse group of stakeholders who aim to advance the energy transition.
Nairobi, Kenya
9:00 – 12:30

Matchmaking between Project Developers, Investors and Financiers (Facilitated by IRENA)
Continuation of matchmaking sessions

Project Exhibition Area
Continuation of project exhibition

Investment Forum Closing
Nairobi, Kenya
Side-Events and Parallel Sessions
High-Level Business Forum on Supporting Renewable Energy Expansion
Advancing Africa’s electricity reform agenda: towards increased private sector participation in clean energy infrastructure
Co-organised by RES4Africa Foundation, UNECA and GSE
8:00 – 8:30
Welcome coffee
8:30 – 9:10
Introduction and Opening Remarks
9:10 – 9:25
Keynote: Driving Renewable Energy Transition: Harnessing Auctions for Public-Private Partnership in the Generation Segment – Focus on Storage
10:10 – 10:25
Coffee Break
10:25 – 11:05
In Conversation: Fostering Public-Private Partnership in Grids
11:05 – 11:50
Panel Discussion: Fostering Public-Private Partnership through Decentralized Solutions and Final Uses
11:50 – 12:00
Closing Remarks
Nairobi, Kenya
14th October, Forum Day 1
13:00 – 14:30
NDC 3.0 and tripling: Mobilizing action and investment to meet ambitious renewable targets
16:00 – 17:30
Roundtable on delivery models for scaling up finance and investment towards achieving universal energy access
15th October, Forum Day 2
13:30 – 15:00
Regional Energy Transition Outlooks for Africa – Pathways to 2050
15:30 – 17:00
Innovative tools for low-cost risk mitigation
16th October, Forum Day 3
High-Level Business Forum on Supporting Renewable Energy Expansion
Advancing Africa’s electricity reform agenda: towards increased private sector participation in clean energy infrastructure
Co-organised by RES4Africa Foundation, UNECA and GSE
8:00 – 8:30
Welcome coffee
8:30 – 9:10
Introduction and Opening Remarks
9:10 – 9:25
Keynote: Driving Renewable Energy Transition: Harnessing Auctions for Public-Private Partnership in the Generation Segment – Focus on Storage
10:10 – 10:25
Coffee Break
10:25 – 11:05
In Conversation: Fostering Public-Private Partnership in Grids
11:05 – 11:50
Panel Discussion: Fostering Public-Private Partnership through Decentralized Solutions and Final Uses
11:50 – 12:00
Closing Remarks