Energy for livelihoods
We work with businesses to eradicate energy poverty in Africa
Energy helps local communities to thrive, improves quality of life and breaks the cycle of poverty
1.3 billionWith no electricity
1.3 billion people around the world lack access to electricity - 84% are in rural areas.
2.7 billionRelying on biomass
2.7 billion people - 38% of the world's population - use solid biomass for cooking and heating.
4.3 millionPremature deaths
Each year, 4.3 million people die prematurely from burning biomass in inefficient stoves in poorly ventilated spaces.
Energy access changes everything
We develop markets to close the energy gap
How it works
Most initiatives are targeting large infrastructure projects. This however does little to expand energy beyond the grid.
60% of new electricity provision required for universal access is the natural domain of small businesses, offering small-scale, decentralised, renewable energy solutions to off-grid areas.
This is the focus of our work.
Our strategy is to support the growth of these businesses, which translates into:
Our approach has provided access to 12 million in 10 years
- 3,000 businesses supported
- 8,800 jobs created
- 9 million tonnes of CO2 avoided
- $90 million raised to support businesses
Our business model
Building markets for a sustainable impact
We provide energy businesses some of the enabling resources they need to grow including: skills, technology, capital, delivery network.
Our services include
Latest news
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USAID and DFID make $600,000 in cash prizes available for the competition’s market-leading innovators. The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) Ideas to Impact...
2017 Ashden Awards now open for entries
Ashden is seeking entries for its 2017 International Awards, the world’s leading green energy awards. The charity wants to hear from trailblasing sustainable energy enterprises and programmes from...
Energy for humanitarian response discussed at UN event in New York
A broad coalition of governments, international organisations, businesses, and civil society groups joined forces at the United Nations to call for and consider urgent action to address the...
10 years of impact
10 years ago Energy 4 Impact was founded because we believe that businesses can offer the best solutions to lack of access to energy. Today we celebrate our achievements and those of the entrepreneurs, partners and donors who have accompanied and supported us through this journey.