Expanding access to clean and reliable energy is critical for economic development, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability. However, millions of households and small businesses still face barriers to affordable energy solutions. Microfinance institutions are playing an increasingly vital role in bridging this gap by designing and delivering innovative financial products that enable communities to access renewable energy technologies. This training course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to create, manage, and scale microfinance products that support energy access while promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development.

The program explores practical strategies for integrating energy access with microfinance, covering topics such as renewable energy financing models, product design, risk assessment, and impact evaluation. Participants will gain insights into global best practices, successful case studies, and digital innovations driving energy-inclusive financial services. By the end of the course, attendees will be able to design effective microfinance energy products, enhance outreach, and support the transition toward inclusive, low-carbon energy solutions.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Microfinance institution professionals
• Renewable energy project managers
• Policy makers in energy and finance sectors
• NGO and development program managers
• Social impact investors
• Financial product designers
• Rural electrification program officers
• Sustainable development consultants
• Academics and researchers in microfinance and energy

Objectives

• Understand the role of microfinance in energy access
• Explore innovative financial models for renewable energy
• Design tailored energy access loan products
• Strengthen skills in risk assessment for energy financing
• Apply digital tools for energy-inclusive financial services
• Build partnerships between MFIs and energy providers
• Enhance knowledge of regulatory frameworks for energy finance
• Study case examples of successful energy microfinance products
• Measure social and environmental impacts of energy access financing
• Build institutional capacity for sustainable energy microfinance solutions

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Energy Access and Microfinance

• Global challenges in energy access
• Role of microfinance in energy inclusion
• Linkages between energy and poverty reduction
• Benefits of energy access financing
• Case studies in energy microfinance

Module 2: Renewable Energy Technologies and Financing Needs

• Solar home systems and lanterns
• Clean cooking solutions
• Mini-grids and community energy projects
• Off-grid energy technologies
• Financing requirements of renewable energy

Module 3: Microfinance Product Design for Energy Access

• Identifying client needs for energy financing
• Structuring micro-loan products for energy solutions
• Tailoring repayment schedules for energy affordability
• Bundling services with financial products
• Innovations in product design

Module 4: Innovative Financing Models for Energy Access

• Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) systems
• Lease-to-own energy financing
• Group lending for energy solutions
• Blended finance mechanisms
• Social impact investment in energy

Module 5: Risk Assessment and Mitigation in Energy Microfinance

• Identifying financial risks in energy lending
• Creditworthiness assessment for low-income clients
• Technical risks of energy products
• Insurance mechanisms for risk mitigation
• Case studies in risk management

Module 6: Digital Solutions for Energy Access Financing

• Mobile money integration for repayments
• Digital credit scoring for energy loans
• Remote monitoring of energy products
• Mobile applications for customer engagement
• Emerging digital platforms

Module 7: Partnerships Between MFIs and Energy Providers

• Collaboration models for energy distribution
• Role of private sector partnerships
• Linking donors and financial institutions
• Value chain financing strategies
• Case studies of partnerships

Module 8: Regulatory and Policy Frameworks

• Policies supporting renewable energy financing
• Regulatory frameworks for MFIs in energy lending
• Government subsidies and incentives
• International donor programs
• Compliance challenges

Module 9: Measuring Impact of Energy Microfinance

• Social impact indicators for energy access
• Environmental benefits of clean energy financing
• Economic outcomes for households and SMEs
• Monitoring and evaluation tools
• Case studies of impact measurement

Module 10: Future of Energy Access Microfinance

• Trends in energy financing innovations
• Emerging technologies and financing needs
• Expanding outreach through digital solutions
• Preparing MFIs for climate finance opportunities
• Building sustainable energy-inclusive institutions

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.