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= Optimizing Device Operation with a Local Electricity Price =

Author: '''Dominique Diouf''', (Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Development Management Standards, Université Laval)

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= Overview =

[[File:Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa.pdf|border|right|400px|File:Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa.pdf|alt=File:Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa.pdf]] Impact investing can be an important investment vehicle as part of the development of sustainable energy projects in West Africa, especially in rural areas. However, impact investing is still facing major challenges in West Africa. Through an analysis of relevant documents on this subject, this research strives to identify and address barriers to impact investing as part of sustainable energy projects development in West Africa. It leads to actions that might be undertaken to make impact investing an effective instrument that can help boost sustainable energy in West Africa. Finally, this study identifies avenues for future research<ref name="Dominique Diouf.">Exploring the Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa. Dominique Diouf. Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Development Management Standards Faculty of Business Administration, Université Laval Quebec City, Canada. </ref>.

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According to the International Energy Agency, 1.3 billion people are without access to electricity and 2.6 billion people are without clean cooking facilities1. More than 95% of these people are either in sub-Saharan Africa or developing countries in Asia and 84% are in rural areas. The level of access to energy for ECOWAS countries, especially in the rural areas, is the lowest in the world (ECREEE, ITC & Casa Africa, 2013). This is a surprising paradox insofar as energy resources are particularly abundant in West Africa. This not only deprives tens of millions of individuals of access to modern energy, but, in addition, it hinders health and environment of the local communities and hence their socio-economic developmen<span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;">t</span><ref name="Dominique Diouf.">Exploring the Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa. Dominique Diouf. Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Development Management Standards Faculty of Business Administration, Université Laval Quebec City, Canada. </ref><span style="font-size: 0.85em; line-height: 1.5em;">.</span>

<br/>In recent years, efforts have been made in terms of improvement and extension of electricity systems and development of cleaner energy, such as renewable energy. As an example, between 2004 and 2009, investment in renewable energy in Africa grew from US$300 million to US$700 million and leapt to $3.6 billion in 2010 (Griffith-Jones et al., 2012). Important efforts have been also made to boost sustainable energy projects and policies in West Africa. The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), based in Praia, Cabo Verde, was established in 2010 to create favorable framework conditions for renewable energy and energy efficiency markets in the 15 member states of the<br/>Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)<ref name="Dominique Diouf.">Exploring the Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa. Dominique Diouf. Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Development Management Standards Faculty of Business Administration, Université Laval Quebec City, Canada. </ref><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;">.</span>

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Despite these significant advances, the majority of African countries, especially those in West Africa, still face major challenges. Beyond the political, social, environmental and institutional challenges, access to financial services is often considered as one of the major barriers to access to energy in West Africa<ref name="Dominique Diouf.">Exploring the Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa. Dominique Diouf. Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Development Management Standards Faculty of Business Administration, Université Laval Quebec City, Canada. </ref><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;">.</span>

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*Learn more [[:File:Barriers to Impact Investing in the Sustainable Energy Area in West Africa.pdf|here]].

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= References<br/> =

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[[Category:Sustainability]]
[[Category:Impacts]]
[[Category:Impacts_Economic]]
[[Category:Financing_and_Funding]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Conference_Documentation]]
[[Category:West_Africa]]