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Summary of Market Study on Scaling Up Off-Grid Solar in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo

Core Content

This market study focuses on the off-grid solar (OGS) sector in six West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo. It evaluates the policy, regulatory, and enabling environment, existing initiatives, equipment distribution landscape, and financing mechanisms to identify opportunities and challenges for scaling up OGS.

Main Viewpoints

1. Access to Electricity

• Access to electricity is highly uneven across the six countries, with urban areas having significantly higher access than rural ones.
• In 2021, access rates ranged from 19% in Burkina Faso to 86% in Ghana.
• Rural access rates varied from 4.7% in Burkina Faso to 74% in Ghana, with an average of 35% for the six countries.
• A large population (307 million) is not connected to the national grid, with 213 million in off-grid areas and 94 million with erratic access.

2. Policy and Regulatory Environment

• At the regional level, ECOWAS has established key policies such as the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP) and ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP), both adopted in 2013.
• These policies aim to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 and expand off-grid electrification through mini-grids and stand-alone systems.
• At the country level, various agencies and ministries are involved in promoting OGS, including the National Renewable Energy Agency (ANEREE) in Burkina Faso and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
• Main challenges include inconsistent regulations, lack of standardization, limited access to finance, and weak institutional capacity.
• Opportunities lie in the potential for OGS to fill the electricity gap, especially in rural and underserved areas.

3. Initiatives for OGS Development

• There are several regional and national initiatives aimed at promoting OGS, such as the Regional Program for the Development of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PRODERE) in Benin and the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE) in Senegal.
• The Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) is a key player in the sector, highlighting the market potential for solar technologies.
• Main challenges include fragmented efforts, limited coordination, and lack of clear regulatory frameworks.
• Opportunities include the development of a more integrated and supportive policy environment, as well as the expansion of public-private partnerships (PPPs).

4. Equipment Distribution Landscape

• A variety of solar systems are being distributed, including stand-alone systems, mini-grids, and solar productive use (SPUE) appliances.
• Solar home systems (SHSs) and pico-PV/solar lanterns are the most common solutions, with SHSs typically ranging from 10-100 Wp.
• Customized solar systems (AC) are used for residential and commercial applications, with higher power capacities.
• Main challenges include limited market reach, poor after-sales service, and lack of awareness among end users.
• Opportunities include improving distribution networks, enhancing product quality, and increasing consumer education.

5. Financing Landscape

• The financing environment for OGS is diverse, with a mix of financial institutions (FIs), microfinance institutions (MFIs), and international organizations.
• Key financial instruments include letters of credit (LoC), partial credit guarantees (PCG), and risk-sharing facilities (RSFs).
• Main challenges include high financing costs, limited access to credit, and a lack of specialized financial products for OGS.
• Opportunities include the development of tailored financial products and the use of RSFs to reduce risk for lenders and stimulate investment.

Key Information

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

• The report recommends the establishment of a Risk-Sharing Facility (RSF) to support solar financing, with specific proposed terms for coverage rate, risk-sharing arrangement, and funding type.
• Capacity-building and training measures are suggested for OGS stakeholders, including financial institutions, solar companies, and government agencies.
• The use of silent guarantees is highlighted as a potential solution to reduce moral hazard risks.
• The proposed RSF is expected to enhance access to finance and encourage the expansion of OGS services.

7. Annexes and References

• The study includes a list of stakeholders interviewed, such as government agencies, financial institutions, and solar companies.
• A comprehensive bibliography is provided, listing key references and reports used in the analysis.

Key Definitions

• RSF (Risk-Sharing Facility): A mechanism that shares losses between a guarantor and a beneficiary, supporting financial institutions in taking on new risks.
• OGS (Off-Grid Solar): Solar systems not connected to the national grid, including stand-alone systems and mini-grids.
• SHS (Solar Home System): Small-solar systems (DC) that provide basic electricity services to households.
• SPUE (Solar Productive Use of Energy): Solar-powered equipment used for productive applications such as water pumping and agricultural processing.

Summary of RSF Features

Conclusion

The report underscores the potential of OGS to expand electricity access in West Africa, especially in rural and underserved areas. It highlights the need for a supportive policy environment, better access to finance, and the development of specialized financial instruments such as RSFs to stimulate growth. The study also recommends capacity-building and training to enhance the skills and knowledge of OGS stakeholders.