Clean Energy Boost: GEAPP Pledges $16M in Africa, India Unlocks $1B

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) recently committed $16 million to expand energy access and accelerate clean energy deployment across Africa.

In a press release, GEAPP noted that, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), these commitments support Mission 300, a collective effort led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030.

Notably, GEAPP’s 2025 impact report highlighted lessons that translate into measurable results across regions. Among them, India contributed to unlocking $1 billion in financing for 26 projects. These projects are ready for deployment and are estimated to improve electricity access for 49 million people, impact the jobs and livelihoods of an additional 2.2 million people, and reduce 166 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

Mini and Metro-Grid Expansion in DRC Powered by $7M Investment 

The latest funding in Africa is supporting electricity access by advancing mini- and metro-grid projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company said the government has committed to investing over $7 million through the government-backed Mwinda Fund, managed by GreenMax.

To drive the country’s decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector, the company explained that this investment is complemented by Castalia’s technical support in building pipelines and strengthening institutional capacity. Crucially, this funding is unlocking nine times the capital from additional funders to help provide electricity access to the 70 million people still living without power in the country.

Expanding Interconnected Mini-Grids

GEAPP also shared Nigeria's plans to invest over $2 million to scale interconnected mini-grids with RMI, to accelerate 100 MW deployment, build a 500 MW pipeline, improve cost efficiency, and secure clean, reliable energy for hundreds of thousands of people.

“Interconnected mini grids are a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy future. By combining on-site renewables with grid power, mini grids deliver reliable, affordable electricity to underserved communities, reduce reliance on costly diesel, and create new value for developers and utilities. With support from the Energy Alliance, we’re scaling this model to accelerate energy access for millions of Nigerians,” said Jon Creyts, CEO, RMI.

"The Mwinda Fund is more than a financing mechanism. It’s a catalyst for transformation. With the generous support from the Global Energy Alliance, GreenMax will implement catalytic grants for mini-grid developers and a guarantee facility to enable local banks to provide construction loans for mini-grids. These innovative financing mechanisms will be instrumental in unlocking scalable, community-driven energy solutions and expanding private investment for energy access in the DRC,” said Clifford J. Aron, Founder & CEO of GreenMax Capital Group, speaking during a panel at Investing in Africa: A Climate Imperative 2025, held as part of NYC Climate Week.

Making DRE More Feasible in Hard-to-Reach Areas

The company made a $5 million investment in Odyssey Energy Solutions to aggregate equipment demand across Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Nigeria – unlocking up to $125 million in clean energy investments while cutting costs and halving deployment timelines.

Whereas in South Africa, the company made a $1.5 million partnership with the Just Energy Transition Programme Management Unit aims to unlock new sources of capital and strengthen South Africa’s transition to an equitable clean energy future. GEAPP said, "This investment will enable developers to benefit from bulk procurement, standardized technology, and lower equipment pricing, making DRE more feasible in hard-to-reach areas."