The International Solar Alliance (ISA) took a major step forward in supporting Africa’s energy transition with its Global Solar Facility Day, a landmark event aimed at mobilizing investment and fast-tracking solar infrastructure across the continent.
Held with participation from key players including Africa50, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Prospereté, and major global infrastructure investors, the event focused on turning Africa’s solar ambitions into actionable, bankable projects.
🌍 Africa’s Solar Facility Shifts from Vision to Implementation
One of the event’s key announcements was the launch of Nigeria as the first host of a country-level chapter of the African Solar Facility (ASF)—a regional arm of ISA’s Global Solar Facility. The ASF will mobilize early-stage capital to unlock larger investments in Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) projects.
Africa50 and NSIA will work together to build a pipeline of scalable, revenue-generating solar initiatives, laying the groundwork for continent-wide energy access and grid expansion.
🇮🇳 India’s SECI Model Offers a Blueprint for Africa
Delegates visited the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to learn how India rapidly scaled its solar capacity using competitive bidding, digital auctions, and centralized procurement frameworks. ISA highlighted this as a shining example of South-South collaboration, encouraging African nations to adopt similar models to attract private-sector investment and streamline project development.
💼 Innovative Finance: Lessons in Asset Monetisation
A panel of global infrastructure experts—including Suresh Goyal (ex-CEO, NHAI InvIT), Ram Rakkappan, PhD (CPPIB), and Kritika Gupta (OTPP)—explored how India’s Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and other asset monetisation tools could be adapted for Africa.
The discussions emphasized the need to tap into institutional capital through innovative financing models that de-risk investment and support long-term solar project scalability.
🔋 A Global Commitment to Africa’s Energy Future
The event reaffirmed a growing international consensus: Africa’s energy transformation is not just necessary—it’s investable. By fostering collaboration, leveraging global best practices, and creating robust financing frameworks, the ISA and its partners are helping shape a solar-powered future for Africa.
“Africa has the sun. Now, with the right partners and financial tools, it can have the power.”
