EAIF 2025 marks a decade of catalysing energy access investment
From 8-10 April 2025, more than 500 in-person participants from around the globe gathered in Kampala for the Energy Access Investment Forum 2025 (EAIF 2025) – the premier annual event for the decentralised renewable energy (DRE) sector.
EAIF 2025 was organised by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), co-hosted by the European Union (EU) through its Global Gateway initiative and under the patronage of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda (MEMD). The event is supported by GET.invest, a European programme that mobilises investments in renewable energy. GET.invest is co-funded by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria.
Ms. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary, MEMD emphasised: “This Forum has proven to be a significant platform for exchanging diverse ideas on the future of energy, ideas rooted in engineering, economics, and, most importantly, execution. We hope that we can continue to work towards turning the great ideas proposed into implementable initiatives to ensure that the ideas and policies we discuss translate into measurable impacts.”
Speaking at the event, H.E. Jan Sadek, EU Ambassador to Uganda, affirmed: “This forum has been a springboard for action and innovation, serving as a powerful catalyst for progress in the energy sector. Between 2021 and 2027, the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package has allocated EUR 150 billion to Africa, reinforcing our already strong collaboration with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. We are committed to continuing our role as a reliable and predictable partner, dedicated to supporting sustainable development in Uganda and beyond.”
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, EAIF 2025 harnessed the momentum of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the newly launched Mission 300 Initiative to drive major investment commitments in the sector. Notably, the World Bank announced plans to invest up to USD 30 billion in energy generation and access across Africa by 2030. Additionally, under the scope of Global Gateway, the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative (AEGEI) sets an ambitious target to deploy at least 50 GW of additional renewable energy capacity, aiming to provide electricity access to over 100 million people on the continent by 2030. In a parallel development, CEI Africa and the EU committed USD 4.5 million to support energy solutions in refugee centres.
The three-day programme featured a dynamic lineup of high-impact sessions, showcasing critical initiatives programmes and product launches. Highlights included the launch of the DRE Impact Stories, illustrating projects backed by EUR 155 million from EU Development Finance Institutions. The forum also saw the unveiling of the Advancing gender equality in the renewable energy sector paper, developed in collaboration with Schneider Electric; the introduction of a joint ESG Guidance initiative, led by AfDB, IFC, and ARE; and the launch of a new publication on the Productive Use of Renewable Energy in Benin, Cameroon, Madagascar, a joint study by ARE and ADEME. In a strategic move to support the Powering Industries campaign, ARE also signed a MoU with GSMA to accelerate the deployment of DRE for C&I use.
Welcoming participants from over 40 countries, EAIF also hosted official country delegations from India, Madagascar, and Lesotho. Throughout the event, participants engaged in more than 500 scheduled GET.invest matchmaking meetings, and countless informal meetings, connecting leading investors, private sector and policymakers.
With a record-breaking turnout of over 50 exhibitors, EAIF 2025 provided participants with an exceptional platform to discover innovative technologies and engage with top-tier companies and organisations driving progress in the renewable electrification sector.
David Lecoque, CEO of ARE, reflected on the success of the event: “EAIF 2025 once again reaffirmed ARE’s vital role as the unifying voice of the DRE sector around the world and particularly in Africa. This year’s Forum showcased the sector’s growth, innovation, resilience and collaborative spirit. We look forward to seeing many partnerships and investment opportunities sparked here translate into real-world impact.”
Strategic partners of the event included ADEME, UNDP AMP, CLUB-ER, EABF Facility, GIZ, Energy Catalyst, ZE-GEN, IFC, TEA-LP, SNV, TEI OP-VET, and CEEW.
Gold Sponsors of the event included the AfDB & SEFA, ADA, ComAp, ENGIE Energy Access, and Schneider Electric.
Silver Sponsors were EnGreen, ennos, Shell Foundation, InfraCredit, and Zimpertec.
The Bronze Sponsors included SkySails, Turbulent Hydro, Tamarso, Victron Energy and WeLight.
The Reception Sponsors were EDFI MC & Gaia Impact (Day 1), and IFC (Day 2).
UNREEA was the event’s National Association Partner.