The ARE Africa Desk was set up in cooperation with the African Development Bank to strengthen ARE’s activities in Africa and boost the development of thriving private sector-driven DRE markets in the continent.

Objectives:

• Mobilise and support African and international project developer and investor communities to catalyse increased investments in DRE
• Specific focus on accelerating access to finance, especially of DRE companies and of low-income rural customers
• Drive the development of innovative financing mechanisms, leveraged by technical assistance and market enabling interventions that de-risk DRE projects and businesses
• Foster local DRE market development through knowledge transfer and capacity building for local businesses and institutions, including. financial institutions

Thematic priorities:

• Access to Finance
• Energy – Agriculture/Food Nexus
• Rural Healthcare Electrification
• Development of Local DRE Markets

Financier Circle

• Dedicated Access to Finance Working Group managed by Africa Desk and driven by ARE Financier Members
• Platform to discuss major barriers to and develop solutions for, improved access to finance of DRE companies and to unlock increased financing for the DRE sector
• Forum for networking, dialogue, partnerships & cooperation, coordination of investor activities and programmes
• Development of dedicated financing facilities and market building activities