From 12 to 13 April 2016, the RECP and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) jointly organised a two-day high-level investment forum at the ING Headquarters and the Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. With over 250 participants, the event was well-attended, bringing together entrepreneurs, financiers and project developers.

On the first day, the “Energy Access Investment Summit” organised by ARE provided an opportunity for key decision-makers as well as institutional and business representatives to develop business strategies together. The discussion focussed on upcoming rural electrification business opportunities in developing and emerging markets, in particular on market conditions and key policy as well as financial initiatives.

On day two, the RECP hosted the “Business and Finance Matchmaking Forum” which was attended by entrepreneurs and financiers from Africa and Europe with the aim to discuss opportunities for cooperation in rural electrification projects. During the first part of the day, several organisations presented innovative financing instruments, approaches and modalities. Additionally, remaining barriers and opportunities in financing rural electrification projects were discussed in an engaging panel session.

The second part of the day featured a matchmaking session in which 156 companies and organisations actively participated. 621 B2B meetings took place in a structured setting, where participants could discuss business and cooperation opportunities for more than three hours.