Edit publication: Publication - Building the Business Case for Women’s Inclusive Financing in Last-Mile Renewable Energy Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

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The case for expanding energy access is clear. Globally, 13 percent of the world’s population lacks 
electricity. Access to clean energy is not only connected to increased sustainable economic 
growth, but it also is key to improving human health and well-being and enhancing the lives of 
women and children. The development and expansion of the renewable energy (RE) sector, 
especially the off-grid solar (OGS) sector, has been critical to reducing this gap. Ensuring that 
women have a greater voice in the sector is key to finding better energy solutions for the world’s 
poorest. This includes improving women’s participation in senior management and employment, 
as well as increasing women’s sector participation as distributors, sales agents, and end consumers.

One of the key constraints in improving energy access in the renewable energy sector is the 
availability and affordability of financing. For women-owned or -led micro, small, or medium 
enterprises (WMSMEs) that are either selling or distributing renewable energy products themselves, 
or interested in purchasing renewable energy products to expand or grow their businesses, there 
are several different potential sources of financing, including (1) renewable energy– or gender lens 
investment–focused impact funds; (2) financial service providers (FSPs), including banks microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and fintech companies; (3) renewable energy product 
companies that have developed their own consumer financing; (4) crowdfunding platforms, like 
KIVA and Energise Africa; and (5) grant or challenge fund programs supporting women 
entrepreneurs. For purposes of this report, the analysis will investigate the demand and supply of 
financial products and services provided by a select group of financiers to the RE sector, as seen in 
Figure 1 below, excludes crowdfunding platforms, grants, and challenge funds since they are 
not a commercially sustainable or scalable source of funding and do not have conventional 
financial products and services that can be refined/modified to support WMSMEs.

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Edit publication: Publication - Building the Business Case for Women’s Inclusive Financing in Last-Mile Renewable Energy Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa

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