The Stichting Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI Africa) has committed to awarding a results-based financing (RBF) grant of up to $3,087,600 to Nuru, a green mini-grid (GMG) developer in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This grant will enable Nuru to create a 3.7 MW solar mini-grid, which will offer around 5,146 connections to underserved communities in the Goma region of the DRC.
Nuru’s project aims to electrify three neighbourhoods in the Goma region that were previously experiencing limited access to electricity, with average access rates as low as 3%. Thanks to Nuru’s efforts, these neighbourhoods, namely Ndosho, Mugunga, and Lac Vert, are on the brink of enjoying a reliable electricity supply.
Building upon the success of Nuru’s initial 1.3 MW metro grid in Goma, this new project will elevate Nuru’s total installed capacity to 5 MW. It encompasses an impressive 150 km of planned distribution network, marking a significant milestone for Sub-Saharan Africa. Over 40,000 direct end-users will benefit from improved energy and public lighting services, bringing transformative change to these vulnerable communities. This electrification will power essential services such as clean water access and telecommunications towers while also fostering new businesses and job opportunities.
CEI Africa has allocated EUR 21 million to support project developers in financing GMGs through RBF, including the provision of technical assistance. Nuru’s project aligns with CEI Africa’s mission to improve energy access for rural households in one of the least electrified countries in Africa, potentially becoming the largest off-grid, fully islanded GMG in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Jonathan Shaw, co-founder and CEO of Nuru, expressed excitement about CEI Africa’s RBF programme, emphasising its role in expediting Nuru’s mission to provide 24/7 renewable energy to thousands in Goma, DRC. Shaw noted that CEI Africa’s support is crucial for derisking and unlocking new projects in challenging settings like the DRC, making a massive impact on local communities.
Claudia Vroom, a board member of CEI Africa, highlighted the importance of electricity in economic development and praised companies like Nuru for electrifying underserved regions in Kenya, supporting the government’s universal electrification goal.
Subject to specific conditions being met, including the execution of a grant agreement between CEI Africa and Nuru, the RBF grant will be disbursed upon Nuru’s completion of new electricity connections. This marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable energy access in the DRC.
