Between the 8-10th October 2024, government ministers, climate investors, development partners, and pioneering companies from across the distributed renewable energy industry will gather at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi for the sector’s flagship bi-annual event, the 2024 Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo.
The Forum is co-hosted by GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar industry, the Government of Kenya, and the World Bank’s Lighting Global Program. This year, partnerships with the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), Africa E-Mobility Alliance (AfEMA), and Global Distributors Collective (GCD), ensure the event encompasses a broad range of distributed energy access technologies and stakeholders. It will showcase the latest advancements in off-grid systems, mini-grids, and e-mobility that are transforming lives, protecting the environment, and boosting economic growth.
Off-grid solar and other distributed renewable technologies are vital for reaching the 675 million people who currently lack access to electricity. They can also improve energy access for over a billion more people who only have intermittent grid power supply. Alongside a focus on universal electrification, the Forum will showcase the growing impact of distributed energy solutions across households, agriculture, businesses, and healthcare.
There will be four dynamic tracks to the sessions, to advance energy access and drive sustainable development:
– Policies and programs for impact;
– Transforming investment;
– Business innovations for growth;
– Putting energy to work;
The event is set to welcome more than 1500 attendees, 90 exhibitors, 100+ policy-makers, and hundreds of investors and development actors from around the world. Known as the off-grid sector’s leading meeting place, the Forum will feature robust discussions, showcase disruptive technologies, and create spaces to unlock new and innovative partnerships that will help drive universal electricity access, build climate resilience, and power productivity.
“The Global Off-Grid Solar Forum is the most dynamic and inclusive convening of leaders in the off-grid sector. As a past attendee, I met with people from across the sectors, from small-scale business owners to policy-makers, and interacted with cutting-edge technologies at the Expo. As GOGLA’s new Executive Director, I am thrilled to lead the team that delivers this must-go-to event for the industry. This year, we will partner again with the Government of Kenya and the World Bank Lighting Global program to make this Forum successful.” – Sarah Malm, GOGLA’s recently appointed Executive Director
Some of industry powerhouse names that have joined a wave of off-grid companies exhibiting at the Expo, and as event sponsors are: Sun King, d.light, TotalEnergies, BioLite, EEP Africa, GreenMax Capital Group, Solar Run Energy, AFREESUN, Upya Technologies, SPARK, Koolboks.
We have as supporting partners: GET.invest, a European programme that mobilises investment in renewable energy in developing countries, supported by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria; and IKEA Foundation, a partner proud to support GOGLA in its mission to scale the productive use of renewable energy across Asia and Africa.
We are also proud to welcome the Nairobi Climate Network as a Climate Partner. Their work to build a thriving ecosystem for climate solutions in Kenya by cultivating connections and partnerships among climate professionals through curated events, knowledge sharing, and collective action is a perfect fit for the Forum.
Sustainable Energy for All will be organising the health sessions while the Efficiency for Access coalition will be coordinating the sessions on how off-grid solar is powering agriculture.
The 2020 Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo was also held in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya represents the largest off-grid solar market and a hub of energy access innovation, with many market leaders from the off-grid solar, minigrid, and e-mobility space operating in the country. Kenya is a global leader on climate change and green growth. Last year, the country hosted the Africa Climate Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre under the leadership of HE President William Ruto.
About GOGLA
GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. Our 200+ members provide millions of low-income and climate-vulnerable people with affordable, high-quality products and services, rapidly increasing customers’ productivity, connectivity, and resilience.
To enable sustainable businesses and accelerate energy access, we provide market insights, standards, and best practices, and advocate for catalytic policies, programmes and investment. Working together, our pioneering industry can improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030.
About the World Bank’s Lighting Global Program
Lighting Global is the World Bank’s initiative to rapidly increase access to off-grid solar energy for the hundreds of millions of people living without electricity world-wide. Managed by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), we work with governments, the private sector, development partners, and end-users, continually innovating to unlock key market barriers and enable access and affordability to those that would otherwise be left behind. Our support has expanded to technologies that go far beyond lighting, including stand-alone solar systems to power the needs of households, farms, businesses, schools, and health centers, and more. We operate with funding gratefully acknowledged from ESMAP and their donors.
To learn more, visit www.lightingglobal.org
About the Kenyan State Department of Energy
The State Department for Energy (SDE) is charged with the mandate to develop and implement policies that create an enabling environment for the efficient operation and growth of Kenya’s energy sector. SDE sets strategic directions to facilitate the growth of the sector while providing a long-term vision for all sector players of providing affordable quality energy for all Kenyans. SDE therefore seeks to facilitate the provision of clean, sustainable, affordable, reliable, and secure energy services for national development while protecting the environment.
At the core of meeting the future demand for electricity in Kenya and keeping the average emission intensity of the grid low enough to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target, SDE has recognized the substantial deployment of renewable energy technologies. To achieve this objective, SDE has established programs and projects focused on National Energy Policy Development and Management, Thermal Power Development, Rural Electrification Programme, Energy Regulation, Security and Conservation, Hydropower Development, Geothermal Exploration and Development, and Promotion of Renewable Energy.
To find out more, visit: www.energy.go.ke
About the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo
The Forum started as the Lighting Africa Conference and Trade Fair in 2008, serving as the networking hub for the nascent off-grid lighting industry. Since then, the event has grown in scale and breadth, alongside the expansion of the global off-grid solar industry.
The previous (7th) edition of the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo in Rwanda, Kigali, was held in October 2022. Dr. Ernest Nsabimana, Minister of Infrastructure in the Government of Rwanda, opened the event. Over 1,000 participants and 70 exhibitors attended, and attendees gave it a 9/10 rating.