Sankalp Africa, GOGLA partner to hold summit to integrate sector players

In an effort to address the challenges facing the electrification sector in Kenya, Sankalp Africa has partnered with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) to hold a summit aimed at integrating sector players towards sustainable solutions. The partnership comes at a crucial time when entrepreneurs in the electrification space in Kenya have invested in off-grid lighting to bridge the gap in electrification access, which currently covers only 40% of the population. The lack of finance has been a major hurdle for these entrepreneurs, as limited investor interest has hindered the expansion of their lighting projects. Gosden Nungu, the manager at Sankalp Forum, highlighted the importance of off-grid solutions in reaching populations without access to traditional grid electricity. By investing in off-grid lighting solutions such as solar energy, these entrepreneurs aim to provide not only lighting but also enhance education and healthcare services in underserved communities. The goal is to increase investments in the off-grid sector to improve the quality of life for off-grid populations. One of the key challenges facing the sector is access to credit for consumers, which remains a significant hindrance to expanding electrification solutions. Gosden Nungu emphasized the importance of empowering consumers to invest in lighting solutions by demonstrating the tangible benefits these solutions can have on their livelihoods and well-being. By blurring the lines between consumers and producers of energy, the sector can create a sustainable ecosystem where off-grid populations can become active participants in the electrification process. The partnership between Sankalp Africa and GOGLA holds great promise for driving collaboration among off-grid solution companies and entrepreneurs. GOGLA, as an association of off-grid solution providers, plays a crucial role in connecting and supporting entrepreneurs in the sector. By bringing these entrepreneurs together and amplifying their voices, the summit aims to facilitate dialogue with investors and policymakers to drive investments and policy reforms in the off-grid lighting sector. Overall, the summit holds the potential to catalyze significant advancements in Kenya's electrification sector by fostering collaboration, innovation, and investment in sustainable off-grid lighting solutions. By uniting sector players and amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs, Sankalp Africa and GOGLA are paving the way for a brighter and more electrified future for all Kenyan citizens.