The fast-track to long-term, affordable rural energy access

Connecting 50 million rural households in 10 African countries by 2030.

Why we need a new energy access model

565 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford basic energy access. The IEA estimates that by 2030, over half a billion people will still be waiting to be connected to electricity. Universal energy access will not be achieved by current sales models with high upfront costs that exclude the poorest rural households and lack long-term service guarantees.

565 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford basic energy access. The IEA estimates that by 2030, over half a billion people will still be waiting to be connected to electricity. We need a new energy access model

Universal energy access will not be achieved by current sales models with high upfront costs that exclude the poorest rural households and lack long-term service guarantees.

What is REAL?

REAL combines solar systems as infrastructure with Energy-as-a-Service to deliver pre-grid electrification at scale, faster, and in areas that current models can’t reach. Through public-private partnerships and open-source knowledge sharing, REAL is building an ecosystem for a new kind of energy access program designed for inclusivity and long-term affordability.

Our approach

REAL's approach emphasizes long term sustainability, incorporating strategies to ensure long term access and minimise e-waste, promoting products that are "built to last", developing more efficient subsidy models and encouraging the participation of local companies.

What does REAL do?

01. Mindset shift

Catalysing a collective mindset shift that accelerates change in how governments and donors view electrification – positioning the REAL model as a credible, cost-effective complement to grid or mini-grid extension for rural areas.

02. Model replication

Developing templates, frameworks and technical standards that help consistently replicate the REAL model.

03. New product standards

Coordinating the development of a new “built-for-service” standard for products used in sustainable pre-grid electrification programs.

04. Ecosystem coordination

Creating an ecosystem through the aggregation of knowledge, setting reference points, and avoiding fragmented or duplicative approaches.

REAL world impact

To date, more than 15.000 households in high-poverty areas across Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Madagascar are paying for Energy-as-a-Service, paving the way for sustainable operations and local job creation.

Sierra Leone

2,300 households connected, with penetration rates ranging from 88% to 100%.

Malawi

Reaching 8,000 hard to reach families across 10 villages, 97% living in extreme poverty.

Senegal

4,500 households in 50 isolated villages pre-electrified, with more than 80% penetration rate.

Madagascar

2000 households connected in the most remote areas, aiming for universal access to energy.

Behind REAL

REAL is a joint initiative, co-founded by three impact-driven organizations, with decades of combined experience in off-grid solar.

Our partners

REAL partners with leading industry organizations to build scalable, affordable energy solutions for rural communities.