Unlocking Solar Capital Africa Conference Report

UNLOCKING SOLAR
Capital
AFRICA
1 & 2
NOV 2016
NAIROBI,
KENYA
POST-SHOW REPORT
EXHIBITION
SPONSORS
STRATEGIC PARTNER
DIAMOND
SPONSOR
NETWORKING
SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SUPPORTING
PARTNERS
CONTENT
PARTNERS
PRIMARY MEDIA
PARTNER

UNLOCKING SOLAR CAPITAL AFRICA
1 & 2 NOVEMBER 2016 NAIROBI, KENYA

350+ executives connect and engage in in-depth discussions
to solve Africa’s solar energy funding gap - and get
projects realized
The first edition of the Unlocking Solar Capital series
took place on November 1-2, 2016, in Nairobi to
gather key stakeholders and discuss some of the
most important themes in the solar electrification
sector in Africa. Organized by Solarplaza and
GOGLA, the conference gathered over 350 on-grid,
minigrid and off-grid solar industry representatives,
investors, development finance institutions, and
other stakeholders – providing a platform to share
experiences, network and form partnerships.
Experts shared their views and experiences in three
parallel tracks covering the three segments, starting
and ending both days with more holistic plenary
sessions. Due to this set up, participants were able
to benefit from both in-depth, segment-specific
knowledge sessions, and become inspired by a bigger,
more unifying overviews.
Key takeaways that have emerged from across all
sessions have several topics in common. For on-grid
and minigrid the policy and regulatory environment
needs to be structured and clarified, the role of data is
paramount for the further development in the off-
grid and minigrid sectors, and the availability of (local)
commercial financing streams is a challenge still in all
three areas. Perceived risks (both from developers
and investors) are higher than what they actually are,
partially due to the above reasons and to political
and economic circumstances. In sharing experiences
between peers and also across sectors, this event has
aided in fine-tuning this view, facilitating an honest
and open conversation on the African solar market.
On the afternoon of the second day, participants
could benefit from a dedicated business and finance
matchmaking session aimed to connect European and
African solar industry stakeholders, promoting the
African solar market.
This was the first investor conference gathering the
on-grid, minigrid and off-grid solar PV industries under
one roof. Whilst the specific needs and demands of the
three sectors are diverse, it is important to have open
channels of communication to effectively advocate
for beneficial policy environments and work together
towards the shared goal of increased electricity
access. Unlocking Solar Capital: Africa helped meet
this demand, facilitate new partnerships, and deepen
existing ones.
350+Attendees
85+Speakers
45Sponsors &
Partners

REGION
POSITION
Manager
24%
UK
11%
South Africa
4%
China
4%
Rest of the world
4%
INDUSTRY
Associate /
Consultant
18%
Nigeria
5%
Germany
6%
Rest of Europe
9%
Netherlands
11%
Rest of Africa
10%
PARTICIPANT STATS
31%
27%
24%
11%
18%
11%
Finance &
Investment
Project
Development
Consulting
12%
Utility / IPP
12%
Other
9% 39%
28%12%
12%
9%
10%
9%
6%
5%
4%
4%
4%
CXO
Director
USA &
Canada
Kenya
20%
16%

Testimonials
“The best off-grid conference I’ve been... and I have been to many!”
-- Power Africa Beyond the
Grid Advisor /// Tetra Tech
“Deep dive into the depth of the sector.”
-- Investment
Manager
“The premier Solar PV financing conference.”
-- Managing
Partner
“Convened all the major players.”
-- Managing
Partner
“It was great to be part of a group focusing on such a key issue in our industry.”
-- CEO
“The only opportunity to see everyone who matters in off-grid energy in Africa in one place.”
-- Private
Investor
“A great event that brings all the key movers and shakers together under one roof.”
-- Executive
Director
“Most well organized Nairobi solar conference yet.” -- CEO
“Excellent networking within the industry. All the players were there.”
-- Dir. of Business
Operations
“Got more valuable meetings done in 2 days then I usually do in 2 months.”
-- General
Manager
WHAT DID PARTICIPANTS THINK OF THE EVENT?
91%
58%
of attendeed would recommend event to
friend/colleague
of participants believe they will close a
business deal as a result of their participation
OVERALL RATING OF
THE CONFERENCE:
FEEDBACK
8.9
10
“If you want to network with those deeply involved in this nascent industry, then
this is the conference to attend.”
-- Managing Director
& Co-Founder
“Averyinformativeconferencewhichprovidedgoodinformationforusfinanciersandbetter
understandingoftherisksinvolvedinfinancingtheprojectsandthemitigationthereof.”
-- Assets General
Manager
“USCA 2016 was great to get a touch and feel on current market and business
opportunities in Africa. Bringing together both developers and investors in one
single event was very useful and lead to important learnings on both ends.”
-- Structured
Finance
Manager

a selection of participating ORGANIZATIONS

sponsors
GOLD SPONSORS
EXHIBITION
SPONSORS
DIAMOND SPONSOR:
NETWORKING SPONSORS
For more information about the Sponsors, please visit:
http://www.unlockingsolarcapital.com/sponsors

partners
organizing
partner
STRATEGIC
partner
SUPPORTING partnerS CONTENT partnerS
MEDIA partnerS
For more information about the Partners, please visit:
http://www.unlockingsolarcapital.com/partners

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Lead Consultant 3E Renewable Energy Services (Pty) Ltd
CEO 3EPower
Designer A&MB
CEO Acumen
Chief Investment Officer Acumen
Portfolio Manager Acumen East Africa
Strategic Partnerships Advisor Acumen East Africa
Associate Director-Impact Acumen East Africa
Senior Project Manager Adam Smith International (ÉLAN RDC)
Consultant Adam Smith International (ÉLAN RDC)
Deputy Team Leader Adam Smith International (ÉLAN RDC)
M&E Associate AECF Connect
Head of Connect AECF Connect
Associate AECF Connect
Project Manager AFD (Agence Française de Développement)
Programme Officer - Energy & Climate Change AFD (Agence Française de Développement)
Senior Advisor AfDB (African Development Bank Group)
Principal Energy Specialist AfDB (African Development Bank Group)
Principal Investment Officer AfDB (African Development Bank Group)
AfDB (African Development Bank Group)
Vice President Investments Africa Finance Corporation
CEO African Solar Designs
Program Manager AGRA
Managing Director Aleutia Energy
Regional Manager East Africa Alten Renewable Energy
CEO Angaza
Business development manager Arcor Enerji Sistemleri ltd. şti.
CEO Ariya Capital Kenya
Executive Chair Ariya Capital Kenya
Co-founder/CEO Arnergy
Co-Founder Arnergy
Co-founder Asili Solutions ltd
CEO Asteven Group
Cofounder | CFO Azimuth (Easy Solar)
CEO Azuri Technologies
GM East Africa Azuri Technologies
Fund Manager Bamboo Capital Partners
Senior Investment Manager Bamboo Capital Partners
Director Battery Plus
CEO & Co-Founder BBOXX
VP Projects BBOXX
VP Debt Finance BBOXX
Private Investor Berkeley Energy
Operations Manager BIMAS

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Investment Officer BIO
General Manager BioLite
Head of Policy - Europe, Middle East & Africa Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Director of Private Investments Blue Haven Initiative
Development Manager Building Energy South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Renewable Energy Developer Building Energy South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Senior Manager Energy Projects Camco Clean Energy
Director Canadian Solar
International Hybrid Business Developer CapVertEnergie International
Founder Catalyst Off-Grid Strategies
Associate CDC Group plc
Investment Director CDC Group plc
Investment Executive CDC Group plc
Direct, Impact Investments CDC Group plc
Investment Executive CDC Group plc
Sales Engineer Centennial Generating Co. Ltd
Managing Director Centre for Sustainable Development Services
Director CEZAM & Associates Limited
Program Officer CEZAM & Associates Limited
Executive & Head, Power & Infrastructure East Africa CfC Stanbic
Partner Chadbourne & Parke
Associate Chadbourne & Parke
Director Clean Energy Access CLASP
Senior Associate CLASP
Analyst Clean Horizon Consulting
Principal - Africa Climate Fund Managers
Principal-Africa Climate Fund Managers
Analyst Climate Investor One
CEO Consistent Energy
Investment Manager Cordaid Investment Management BV
Managing Partner CrossBoundary Energy
Senior Associate CrossBoundary Energy
Senior Engineer CrossBoundary Energy
Global CFO d.light design, Inc.
Director - Corporate Finance & Global Partnerships d.light design, Inc.
Global Financial Controller d.light design, Inc.
Director of New Business Initiatives d.light design, Inc.
CEO and Co-Founder d.light design, Inc.
Senior Project Manager Dalberg
Managing Director Dassy Entreprise Ltd
Vice President Energy Africa/Asia DEG/KfW
Vice President Energy Africa/Asia DEG/KfW
Regional Director East Africa DEG/KfW
Alternatives | Sustainable Investments Deutsche Bank AG

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Director Export Credit Guarantee Development Bank of Ethiopia
Sustainable Energy Team Leader DFID
Executive Director Doneka Ltd
General Manager DREAM EP Global Energy (Kenya) Ltd
New business development DSM
Executive Director EcoEnergy
Chief Operations Officer EcoEnergy
Managing Partner EED Advisory
Investment Officer ElectriFI
CEO and Founder Energicity
Head of Advisory Services Energy 4 Impact
Director Energy Access Ventures
Senior Partner Energy Access Ventures
Investment Manager Energy Access Ventures
Investment Manager Energy Access Ventures
CEO Energy Indeed
CEO/ Chairman Energy Resources Petroleum
Energy Research Analyst EnergyDatar
Development Manager Africa Enfinity Asia Pacific
VP Business Development East Africa ENGIE
Financial Advisor ENGIE
Investment, communication and Partnership Manager ENGIE
Product & Service Development Manager Enovos Luxembourg S.A.
Managing Director EP Global Energy Ltd
Technical Director Epicenter Africa via Jinko Solar
General manager Equity Group Foundation
Principal Equity Investment Bank
Associate Director Ernst & Young
Director Ernst & Young
Energy , Transport and Environment European Commission
Investment Manager European Investment Bank
Program Manager European Union (KEN)
CEO Fenix International
Director of Strategy Fenix International
Business Development Director Fenix International
Finance Director Fenix International
n/a Finance Catalyst
Managing Partner Finergreen Africa
Manager, Global Strategic Marketing First Solar
Regional VP Africa Fluidic Energy
Manager Energy Asia, North and West Africa FMO
Investment Officer FMO
Senior Investment Officer FMO
Manager I Private Equity – Energy Investments FMO

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Director Strategy FMO
Area Sales Manager Fronius International
Director Frontier Investment Management
Finance Manager FRV Services Middle East
Partnerships Manager Futurepump Limited
Managing Partner GG Energy
COO Gigawatt Global
Project Advisor Minigrids GIZ
Energy Program Coordinator GIZ
Program Advisor GIZ
Director, Global Advocacy, Power for All Global Advocacy/ Power for all
Chief Impact and Research Officer Global Partnerships
Portfolio Director Global Partnerships
V.P Lending & Portfolio Management Global Partnerships
General Manager GN Power
Executive Director GOGLA
Program Advisor GOGLA
Communications and Events Assistant GOGLA
Program Manager GOGLA
Government Representative Government of Haiti
CEO Grafica
Relationship Manager- Pay As You Go Greenlight Planet
VP global business development Greenlight Planet
Sales Director Asia Greenlight Planet
CEO Greenlight Planet
Business Development – East Africa Greenlight Planet
General Manager - Global Partnerships (East and Southern Africa) Greenlight Planet
Head, Project Finance GreyRock Partner Advisors
Structured Finance Director Grupotec
Senior Market Engagement Manager, M4D Utilities GSMA
Grey Rock Head of Project Finance
Managing Director Heinrich Boell Stiftung
General Manager of Huawei Smart PV Business in MEA Huawei
General Manager of Huawei FusionSolar UAE Huawei
CEO Husk power systems
Director of Business Operations Husk power systems
Ass GM I&M Bank
Structured Finance Manager ib vogt
Business Development Manager InfraCo Africa
IFC Infrastructure Department, Sub-SaharanAfrica International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Program Manager International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Regional Lead, Energy & Resource Efficiency Advisory Services International Finance Corporation (IFC)

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Senior Energy Specialist at IFC International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Head, Climate Change Advisory International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Program Manager Lighting Africa International Finance Corporation (IFC)
CEO International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Energy Specialist International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Regional Manager East Africa Jabil Inala
Senior Relationship Manager – Energy Jamii Bora Bank Limited
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer JCM Capital
General Manager Africa & Middle East Jinko Solar
Sales Manager, Central Africa Jinko Solar
Project manager Jinko Solar
Managing Director Kawisafi Ventures
Operating Partner KawiSafi Ventures
CEO Kenergy
CFO KenGen
Chairman KEREA
Managing Partner Kimara Partners limited
Managing Director Konserve
Exec Director Lion's Head Global Partners
Head of Energy Division Lombard Guarantee
Business Development Manager Lombard Guarantee
CEO Lumeter
CEO Lumi
Portfolio Director Lundin Foundation
Advocate McKay & Company
Engagement Manager McKinsey & Company
Consultant McKinsey & Company
CTO MeshPower Limited
Interim CEO MeshPower Limited
Economist / Hedging Services MFX Solutions
CEO Mobisol
Head of Business Development Mobisol
CFO Mobisol
Modern Energy
Solar Programme Leader, Africa Mott MacDonald
Senior Advisor Multiconsult
Developer of Solar Project MyEnergyBankLtd.
Independent Professional n/a
Private Investor n/a
Business Reporter Nation Media Group
Renewable Energy Markets Adviser NCCN
CEO Nemoante
Deputy CEO Neoen
General Director, Neoen Moçambique Neoen

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
CEO and Founder NewLight Africa
Chief Business Development Officer Nishati
Team Lead Nizam Energy
Solar energy applications consultant Noradsonel
CEO NorthLite Solar Limited
Managing Director Novastar Ventures
Managing Director NuPlanet
Investment Director Octopus Investments
Senior Director Off Grid Electric
Senior Director of Corporate Finance Off Grid Electric
Snr Accountant Off Grid Electric
Renewable energy finance specialist Oikocredit
Renewable Energy Manager Oikocredit
Project Officer Oikocredit
Publisher Oil and Gas Republic Publication
Editor-In-Chief Oil and Gas Republic Publication
COO OOLU
Managing Partner Open Capital Advisors
Principal Open Capital Advisors
Director Structured Finance and Insurance OPIC
Managing Director OPIC
Pawame
Pawame
Pawame
CEO Pawame
Founder Paygo Ventures
CEO Paysolar
CEO PEG
CEO Peg Africa
Consultant Persistent Energy Capital
Managing Director Persistent Energy Capital
Managing Partner Philae Advisory
Project Finance Manager Photon Energy N.V.
CEO Plug The Sun Limited
Business Development Manager Plug The Sun Limited
Regional Beyond The Grid Adviser for East Africa Power Africa
senior manager, communications power for all
Business Development Manager Power Providers
Managing Director Power Providers
Managing Director Power Trust
Finance Manager PowerGen RE
CFO PowerGen RE
Business Development PowerGen RE
CEO PowerGen RE

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Managing Director Powerhive
‎Co-founder & VP Business Development Powerhive
Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited
Director Process Transfer
Investment Officer Proparco
Regional Representative Proparco
Managing Director Quaint Energy Kenya ltd.
CEO Radiant Energy
CEO Radiant Energy
Owner's Project Manager-Engineer Radiant Energy
Managing Director Rafiki Power
Interim Country Manager Rafiki Power
Entrepeneur Rafode Ltd
Senior Dealmaker C&I Rand Merchant Bank
Transactor Rand Merchant Bank
Rand Merchant Bank
Asia Correspondent Recharge News
Project Manager RECP
Program Coordinator RECP
Project Support RECP
Managing Director Renergrwanda Ltd
Investment Director Africa responsAbility
Investment Officer responsAbility
Senior Associate Renewable Energy responsAbility
Global Topic Head – Energy Debt Financing responsAbility
Member of the Executive Management responsAbility
Managing Director, Renewable Energy responsAbility
Marketing Responsability
Project Manager Risen Energy
Founder & Managing Director RVE.SOL
Business Development Director for Rural Nanogrid Sagemcom
Sustainable Investments Director Schneider Electric
Cross Boundary Senior Associate
Senior Renewable Energy Consultant SgurrEnergy Ltd
Head of Policy and Advocacy Shell foundation
Executive Vice President Sigora International
CEO/Founder Sikubora
Vice President SIMA Funds
CEO Simusolar
Global Managing Director Eenergy sector SNV
Managing Director Solar Mate
Managing Director Solar Today
Business Development Manager, East Africa Solarcentury
CEO Solarkiosk AG

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Managing Director Solarkiosk AG
Group Controller Solarnow
CEO SolarNow
COO SolarNow
Project Manager Solarplaza
Project Manager Solarplaza
Design Manager Solarplaza
Manager Business Development & Sales Solarplaza
Jr. Project Manager Solarplaza
Event Manager SolarPower Europe
Executive Advisor SolarPower Europe
Marketing Manager Solarway FZE
Head of Projects and Partnerships Sollatek Electronics Kenya Ltd
President Solwealth Property Company
Client coverage Stanbic Bank
VP, Operations SteamaCo
Chief Technology Office SteamaCo
Operations Manager SteamaCo
FMO Strategy Director
Manager Strathmore University Energy Research Centre
Investment Officer SunFunder East Africa Limited
Director of Structured Finance Sunfunder East Africa Limited
COO Sunfunder East Africa Limited
Investment Officer SunFunder East Africa Limited
Managing Director and Co-Founder Sunspot Energy
Managing Director and Co-Founder Sunspot Energy
Project Manager Africa Suntrace GmbH
CEO SunTransfer
CEO Sustainable Energy for All
Senior Advisor Loans and Guarantees Swedish Embassy
Senior Investment Analyst Symbiotics SA
CFO Symbiotics SA
Business Manager TCX Investment Management Company
Senior Vice President, Structuring TCX Investment Management Company
Senior Advisor TCX Investment Management Company
Advisor TCX Investment Management Company
Power Africa Beyond the Grid Advisor Tetra Tech
Head of Product & Structured Finance The African Guarantee Fund (AGF)
Founder The Rift
CCO The Sun Exchange
CEO Translight Solar Limited
Managing Director Treehouse Investments LLC
Electrical Engineer Treehouse Investments LLC
Regional Manager, East Africa Trine

PARTICIPANTS
POSITION COMPANY
Fund Manager Triodos Investment Management
Senior Investment Manager Triodos Investment Management
Managing Director Triple S Solar
Clean Energy Advisor U.S. State Department
Program Manager Uganda Development Trust
Senior Director UN Foundation
Programme Manager UNCDF
Development Assistance Specialist (Liaison and Microgrid) USAID
Director - Partnerships USAID - Global Development Lab
Senior Program Advisor USAID - Global Development Lab
Senior Program Officer USAID - Global Development Lab
Chairman / CEO USEA / Energy Systems Limited
Project Manager Valorem
CEO Village Power AG
CEO Visionary Empowerment Program
Co-founder and Partner Voltiq
Partner Voltiq
Senior Director Voltiq
program officer Vulcan Impact Investments
Managing Director Waka Waka
Infrastructure Finance Specialist World Bank
Sr Energy Specialist World Bank
Business Development Manager Yellow Door Energy
CEO Yellow Door Energy
COO Yellow Door Energy
Director Yingli Green Energy Europe GmbH
Dep Project Manager Yingli Solar
CEO Zonful Energy
SEE YOU AT OUR FUTURE UNLOCKING SOLAR CAPITAL EVENTS!

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For more information, please visit:
WWW.UNLOCKINGSOLARCAPITAL.COM
More than 55.000 solar PV professionals and businesses from all
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