B8: Rural Electrification: Innovations and tools for sustainable least-cost electrification solutions

Rural electrification is crucial to support the socio-economic development of communities and improve their living conditions. In Africa, rural electrification agencies face the monumental challenge of providing electricity to tens of millions of people before 2030. The extension of the grid electricity presents constraints such as high costs involved in reaching remote areas, higher costs of use than in urban areas, and power efficiency. Therefore, off-grid technologies offer a promising alternative. Expanding rural electrification requires scaling up efforts to unprecedented levels, demanding effective and efficient tools to manage large-scale projects. In this session, Odyssey and VIDA will showcase a comprehensive suite of innovative tools that enable rural electrification agencies to manage every phase of large-scale projects seamlessly, from selection of optimal sites to streamlining the management of applications for tendering and results-based financing, while providing robust mechanisms for impact measurement, ongoing monitoring, and maintenance. The session aims to create a platform for meaningful exchange of knowledge and experiences to drive forward the agenda for sustainable least-cost electrification solutions, and learn from successful models like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).