Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2021 Power Africa Off-Grid Project

The project began in 2018 and operates in 26 countries across the region. The project's primary goal is to achieve 60 million new off-grid direct connections by 2030. Key achievements in FY 2021 include exceeding the target of 6 million new off-grid direct connections, with 6,101,579 connections achieved, representing a 102% increase. The project also mobilized $627.8 million in investment for energy, exceeding the target of $500 million by 126%. Additionally, 58 laws, policies, regulations, or standards were formally proposed, adopted, or implemented to enhance energy sector governance, representing a 102% increase. The project implemented various interventions to support off-grid energy access, including farmer training programs, infrastructure development, and market linkage facilitation. The project also supported the development of productive-use off-grid devices or systems, with 37,487 devices or systems sold, representing a 227% increase. Furthermore, 585 entities introduced and expanded off-grid specific financial products and/or began marketing to off-grid consumers after receiving support, representing a 1,393% increase. The project's geographic focus is on sub-Saharan Africa, with activities implemented in 26 countries. The project's timeframes are from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, with a midterm evaluation revealing a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. Implementation details for the project include the establishment of demonstration plots, farmer training programs, and market linkage facilitation. The project also supported the development of productive-use off-grid devices or systems and the introduction of off-grid specific financial products. The project's main purpose is to increase access to energy in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on off-grid energy access. The project's scope includes the implementation of various interventions to support off-grid energy access, including farmer training programs, infrastructure development, and market linkage facilitation. The project's key findings include the achievement of exceeding the target of 6 million new off-grid direct connections, mobilizing $627.8 million in investment for energy, and implementing various interventions to support off-grid energy access. The project's conclusions include the effectiveness of the interventions implemented to support off-grid energy access and the need for continued support to achieve the project's goals. Recommendations for future implementation include the continued support of farmer training programs, infrastructure development, and market linkage facilitation. Additionally, the project recommends the development of productive-use off-grid devices or systems and the introduction of off-grid specific financial products.