Unlocking the Grid – Global Leaders Converge in Nairobi to Bank Africa’s Renewable Future


                      Experts adressibnng the media today at the ArE Energy Access Forum 2026
 

NAIROBI, KENYA – The Safari Park Hotel buzzed with a distinct sense of urgency today as the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2026 officially kicked off. This isn't just another talk shop; it’s a high-stakes deal-making floor where the 600 million Africans still living without electricity are the central priority.

The opening press conference brought together a heavy-hitting panel that bridged the gap between high-level policy and the hard-nosed world of infrastructure finance.To his right, Ambassador Henriette Geiger, representing the European Union Delegation to Kenya, highlighted the Global Gateway strategy. Her message was firm: the EU isn't just providing aid; they are de-risking the market to bring in private capital. This was echoed by Joao Duarte Cunha, Head of the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) at the AfDB, who noted that the focus has shifted toward "bankability"—ensuring projects can actually survive and scale in the real world.

Irene Calvé Saborit:representing Sustainable Energy for All - SEforALL). A veteran in energy access partnerships,spoke passionately about "Mission 300"—the collaborative push to connect 300 million people by 2030. Her presence signaled the deep involvement of international partners in Kenya's domestic energy goals.

For the first time in the forum's history, a dedicated Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Day has been scheduled for April 23. This marks a pivot toward the "productive use" of energy. The talk in the halls isn't just about lighting a single bulb in a home; it’s about powering agro-processing plants, telecom towers, and the burgeoning e-mobility sector in East Africa

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