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GOGLA and e-MFP Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive Financial Inclusion and Off-Grid Solar Expansion

19 Sept 2024

Leaders in the off-grid solar industry and financial inclusion sectors across the Global South are joining forces to expand access to financial services, promote the productive use of off-grid solar energy solutions and help clients grow their livelihoods

GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, and e-MFP (European Microfinance Platform) are pleased to announce a reciprocal membership to facilitate new coordination, communication, and opportunities between the off-grid solar (OGS) and financial inclusion sectors.

 

GOGLA and e-MFP are member-based organizations that exist not only to support the interests of their members but also to act as thought leaders, hubs for exchange, and advance the sectors as a whole.

 

Historically, the microfinance and off-grid solar (OGS) sectors have operated independently, despite serving similar client segments. However, a growing convergence is emerging between the goals of both sectors. Financial inclusion actors are increasingly looking to expand access to productive assets and services that go beyond core financial products, helping clients improve their livelihoods, education, and health. At the same time, OGS stakeholders recognize the need for deeper collaboration with financial service providers, moving beyond PAYGO models and leveraging their expertise in customer finance to support the adoption of productive-use energy products.

 

e-MFP and GOGLA anticipate numerous collaboration opportunities, including enhanced knowledge sharing on client and consumer protection principles, outcomes measurement, and connecting potential partners. 

 

Both organizations also plan to promote and participate in upcoming key events; Notably, the 2024 Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo, from 8-10 October in Nairobi, Kenya. The event, co-hosted by GOGLA, the Government of Kenya, and the World Bank’s ESMAP, is expected to gather over 1500 attendees, including government ministers, climate investors, development partners, and pioneering companies from across the distributed renewable energy industry. Additionally, European Microfinance Week 2024, e-MFP’s flagship event, will be held from 13-15 November in Luxembourg. Last year, this conference brought together over 670 participants from 68 countries, with 245 joining online, solidifying its status as a premier gathering for financial inclusion professionals worldwide.


“It is absolutely natural that e-MFP, representing all the key parts of the financial inclusion sector, should cement and build on the existing relationship with off-grid and other energy providers to develop and strengthen linkages between two rapidly-changing sectors. We are very pleased to have GOGLA as a member, and for e-MFP to join GOGLA, and we look forward to exploring ways that we - and our respective members - can build on new opportunities." - Christoph Pausch, Executive Secretary of e-MFP. 
“We welcome this opportunity to expand the ways in which the off-grid solar industry is creating financial inclusion for its customers. This partnership with e-MFP will strengthen our work to increase access to clean energy, improve lives, energize economies, and increase climate resilience for hard-to-reach and underserved populations.”  - Sarah Malm, Executive Director of GOGLA.

 

GOGLA and e-MFP welcome questions, comments, proposals and requests from their members on the exciting opportunities that we believe this partnership can bring.

 

About e-MFP and GOGLA:

With over 120 members from all geographic regions and specialisations, e-MFP is the leading network of organisations and individuals active in the financial inclusion sector in the Global South. e-MFP fosters activities which increase global access to affordable, quality, sustainable and inclusive financial services for the un(der)banked by driving knowledge-sharing, partnership development and innovation.

 

GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. Our 200+ members provide millions of low-income and climate-vulnerable people with affordable, high-quality products and services; rapidly increasing customers’ productivity, connectivity, and resilience. To enable sustainable businesses and accelerate energy access, we provide market insights, standards and best practice, and advocate for catalytic policies, programmes and investment. Working with partners, our pioneering industry can improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030. To find out more, visit www.gogla.org.

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