The project seeks to mobilise private investment in renewable energy and low-carbon agro-industrial development in The Gambia, Senegal and Nigeria. It will address high financing costs, limited access to long-term capital and perceived investment risks through an innovative financing platform combining a Partial Guarantee Facility (PGF), blended finance and dedicated credit lines. The facility will de-risk and crowd in private capital for commercially viable renewable energy, clean agro-processing and sustainable agro-energy investments, including sorghum-based bioenergy and biofuel production. By leveraging public and concessional resources to unlock private finance, the project will expand clean-energy markets, strengthen agricultural value chains, create jobs and establish a scalable regional financing model for low-carbon economic transformation.
Project overview
Investment opportunity
Investment types sought
Partial Guarantee Facility (PGF); Blended Finance; Concessional Finance; Dedicated Credit Lines; Commercial Debt; Technical Assistance Grants
Project status
Development stage
Concept
Additional project information
- Lead agency
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR)
Expected impact
Economic & development benefits
- DRAIS will generate economic and development benefits by mobilising €30–40 million in private investment, expanding clean-energy access, strengthening agro-processing and agricultural value chains, and creating new business and employment opportunities
- The project targets 18 MW of solar, 30 mini-grids, 25,000 solar home systems and large-scale smart metering, while supporting productive agro-energy applications
- An estimated 35,000–40,000 rural households will gain improved clean-energy access
- Beneficiaries include rural households, farmers, agro-processors, MSMEs, utilities, financial institutions and renewable-energy developers across The Gambia, Senegal and Nigeria
- Women- and youth-led enterprises will be specifically targeted, with 40–50% of relevant credit lines supporting inclusive participation
Climate & resilience benefits
- In the short term, DRAIS will expand renewable energy and productive-use technologies, reducing reliance on diesel and fossil-fuel electricity in rural electrification, irrigation, agro-processing and cold chains
- The project is expected to reduce 0.5–1.5 MtCO₂e while improving reliable energy access and strengthening the resilience and productivity of farmers, MSMEs and agro-processors
- In the long term, de-risking instruments, credit lines and stronger financial and regulatory systems will stimulate sustained private investment in low-carbon energy and agro-energy markets
- Increased use of solar, biogas and energy-efficient technologies will strengthen climate-resilient agricultural value chains, reduce exposure to fossil-fuel price shocks and support the transition towards low-carbon, climate-resilient economies across The Gambia, Senegal and Nigeria
Contact
Contact team
For more information about this project, please contact the Commonwealth Investment Platform team.