EAIF 2026 sparks investment momentum and signals a new chapter for renewable electrification
The ARE Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2026 successfully concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together more than 800 on-site participants from 21 to 24 April 2026. The Forum reaffirmed its position as the leading annual investment event dedicated to advancing renewable electrification, including energy access, productive uses of energy, commercial & industrial uses of power and grid improvement.
Organised by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), co hosted by the European Union through its Global Gateway strategy, held under the patronage of Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, and supported by GET.invest, EAIF attracted more than 200 private and public investors, a remarkable group of senior decision makers from public and private sector, as well as more than 25 energy buyers. With 11 partner workshops hosted alongside the Forum, it further strengthened its position as a leading platform for sector stakeholders to convene and organise their own events.
One of the key highlights is ARE’s announcement of its rebrand at EAIF to the Alliance for Renewable Electrification, marking a new chapter as it celebrates over 20 years of advancing renewable energy in emerging markets. Reflecting the evolution of energy systems, the new identity underscores an expanded mission to accelerate renewable electrification across the full energy landscape—from energy access and productive use to commercial and industrial applications, as well as modern grid and utility integration—while continuing to serve its members with a broader, future-focused vision.
David Lecoque, CEO of ARE, said: “We’re not just changing our name—we’re stepping into what we’ve been building toward. The Alliance for Renewable Electrification, reflects a broader mission to accelerate renewable electrification across the entire energy landscape—from energy access and productive use to commercial and industrial solutions, and integrated grids. In other words we go from a siloed to a systems approach. Our role is to connect the dots—between communities and economies, governments and industry, development partners and the private sector, energy users and solution providers. Because this transition won’t be delivered in silos, but built together. Looking at the exceptional crowd gathered at EAIF, I am delighted to see such strong buy-in from across the board for ARE’s new strategy.”
Joao Duarte Cunha, SEFA Manager of the African Development Bank, said: “We commend ARE for broadening its mandate to reflect the full spectrum of renewable energy solutions, and for delivering yet another outstanding EAIF. What sets this event apart is its ability to connect investors, financiers, entrepreneurs and public stakeholders around a shared understanding of market realities, and to translate those connections into meaningful partnerships and investment momentum.”
Building on a strong track record since 2016, this edition delivered a dynamic platform for deal making, investments, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships. Over the course of four days, participants engaged in high level discussions including a dedicated mini-grid day, targeted matchmaking sessions and extensive networking activities aimed at unlocking investment and advancing project development across Africa and beyond.
The Forum also recorded strong engagement through its GET.invest matchmaking platform, with all time industrywide record of 1000+ meetings booked, reflecting strong investor appetite and project pipelines. Additionally, a total of 41 exhibitors showcased solutions across the clean energy value chain.
A key highlight of this year’s edition was the introduction of a dedicated commercial and Industrial (C&I) Day, bringing together stakeholders to address the electrification needs of high demand sectors such as mining, telecommunications, agro processing, e-mobility and industrial applications. This reflected ARE’s expanded strategic focus, following its organisational evolution to better integrate C&I energy solutions and grid connected systems into its core agenda.
H.E. Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya, said “Hosting EAIF 2026 in Nairobi has highlighted Kenya’s important role as a hub for innovation, investment and sustainable energy solutions. The outcomes of this Forum confirm growing confidence in Africa’s renewable energy markets. Through Global Gateway, the European Union is proud to partner with African countries and the private sector to accelerate investment, jobs, clean growth and achieve universal energy access.”
COMESA’s participation at EAIF 2026 in Nairobi underscored its leadership in driving Africa’s clean energy transition, highlighted by the launch of the USD 25 million ASCENT Project Preparation Facility (PPF). This initiative directly addresses the critical gap between project ideas and bankable ventures, positioning COMESA as a catalyst for renewable energy investment across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Speaking at the launch, COMESA Assistant Secretary General in charge of Programmes, Ambassador Dr Mohamed Kadah, emphasised: “The ASCENT Project Preparation Facility will reinforce our collective ambition to advance renewable electrification, promote productive use of energy, and accelerate the green transition. It will unlock opportunities for sustainable growth, empower communities, and strengthen regional integration.”
On top of its packed agenda, the EAIF 2026 was marked by a series of investment announcements and partnership developments, underscoring strong market momentum:
- The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also announced a contribution to the African Development Bank Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa in the DRC, strengthening clean energy deployment across the region.
- It was announced that Solar23 had taken over Redavia, company active in the commercial and industrial sector with a lease to own model for private companies.
- The Songwe Hill rare earth project in Malawi, which amounts to 400m USD investment plan roughly, was also announced as being fast tracked, with backing from the European Commission, underlining growing international alignment on strategic energy and mineral value
- The Forum also saw the launch of a results based financing paper developed by ARE in collaboration with its Financier Circle, providing new policy and investment guidance for scaling DRE solutions.
On the final day, participants took part in optional site visits, offering first hand insights into local energy projects in Kenya, including an IoT-enabled local manufacturing plant, a solar-powered farm cooling, an organic dairy production, and a solar-powered irrigated farm.
With more than 800 delegates on site, including over 200 investors and over 25 energy buyers, EAIF 2026 marked its most impactful edition to date, reinforcing its role as a key platform to catalyse partnerships and mobilise capital for renewable electrification.
