The programme aims to increase investment in geothermal energy in East Africa, contributing to economic development and growth, by addressing market failures which hinder the very early stages of geothermal market development, including: • reducing the risk of exploratory test drilling, leading to increased investor confidence in under exploited East Africa geothermal energy; and, • improving geothermal strategy, policy and regulations that facilitate investment.

The impact programme was launched by the UK Department for International Development (dfid) in december 2012. The programme aims to build a viable impact investing ecosystem in Africa and South Asia with the ultimate goal of improving the livelihoods of the poor in some of the world’s most fragile and low-income countries.

Tunisia meets around 97 per cent of its electricity needs from gas and oil. In 2015 the state paid energy subsidies of more than 150 billion euros, resulting in a considerable burden on the budget. At the same time, given the steadily falling prices of photovoltaic (PV) systems, there is now an environmentally friendly and economical alternative for generating electricity.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Dramatic changes in climate conditions and weather extremes are already affecting millions of people around the world, damaging crops and coastlines and putting food, water and energy security at risk. Climate change threatens to reverse progress towards sustainable development.

By 2050, the urban population in Africa is expected to grow from 400 million to 1.26 billion people. African cities need to respond to these challenges in order to provide a sustainable future for their citizens and keep greenhouse gas emissions low. Therefore, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy and adapting to the effects of climate change are among the most pressing issues for the African population.

The project will contribute to SADC’s objective of creating access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services in the SADC Region. Although having a rich endowment of energy resources such as natural gas, hydropower, wind and solar the SADC Region faces serious energy challenges. The prevailing instability is compounded by many factors, e.g.

The Private Financing Advisory Network is a global network of climate and clean energy financing experts, which offers free business coaching and investment facilitation to entrepreneurs developing climate and clean energy projects in emerging markets.

Climate Investor One (CIO) is a blended finance facility. The first component of this programme is a development fund, which provides loans in the early stage of a project life cycle. The second component, a construction equity fund, will meet up to 75 percent of total construction costs in tandem with the project sponsor. Compared with conventional project financing, CIO removes the need for complex multi-party financing structures, with the potential to thereby reduce the time and cost associated with delivering renewable energy projects.

The $5.4 billion Clean Technology Fund (CTF) is empowering transformation in developing countries by providing resources to scale up low carbon technologies with significant potential for long-term greenhouse gas emissions savings. Over $4 billion (75% of CTF resources) is approved for implementation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transport.

The Clean Energy for Development aims to increase access to renewable energy in developing countries. The initiative has provided lasting results for millions of people since it was started in 2007.

Both the Sustainable Development Goals and climate agreement in Paris states that the global community must continue to supporting sustainable energy development.

Renewable energy enables economic growth and protects the environment. Sustainable, affordable and reliable energy supplies are also prerequisites for abolishing extreme poverty.