PEP-Led Conference Highlights Inclusive Green Energy Challenges in the Global South

‘Rural renewable energy MSMEs operating to modernise agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Barriers, opportunities, and implications for inclusive low-carbon transition’ is on of 12 projects which make up the CEDCA initiative. Led by PEP (The Partnership for Economic Policy)  This project aims to explore the transformative potential of rural renewable energy MSMEs in modernising agriculture, by addressing the critical gaps in understanding their adoption of low-carbon technologies, particularly among women and youth.
PEP is hosting a conference on June 11 in Nairobi, Kenya, and online. The theme, Financing and Inclusivity in Green Energy Transitioning in the Global South, will explore the critical challenges and opportunities in ensuring that the transition to sustainable energy benefits all segments of society.

Following the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, where partial funding commitments were made to support climate efforts in developing countries, the urgency for actionable solutions has never been clearer. Yet, despite these new pledges, the financing gap remains vast, and shifting geopolitical dynamics now pose even greater risks to global climate finance.

Developing economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America face unique obstacles in financing and implementing green energy infrastructure. Beyond the technological and financial barriers, there is a pressing need to ensure that vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and rural MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises), are not left behind in the energy transition.

Drawing on PEP’s extensive research and engagement efforts, the 2025 Policy Conference will showcase cutting-edge findings and promote evidence-based policy dialogue. Highlights will include insights from:

• Sustainability Performances, Evidence, and Scenarios (SPES)project (funded by the EU Horizon program), where PEP fosters high-level dialogues on sustainable energy transitions.
• Rural renewable energy MSMEs operating to modernize agriculture in Sub Saharan Africa and South-East Asia (in collaboration with Environment for Development (EfD) with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)) to promote the adoption of low-carbon technologies by rural enterprises and the inclusion of women and youth in countries like Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, and Vietnam.
• How Can Multilateral Development Banks Better Support Green Energy Transition and Financing in the Global South? Research supported by the Center for Global Development (CGD), examining feasible financing mechanisms for green energy transitions in Pakistan and South Africa.

Conference Program Overview:

9:00 AM — Welcome Remarks

• Carol Newman, Board Chair, PEP
• Jane Mariara, Executive Director, PEP

9:30 AM — Keynote Presentation
“Financing and Inclusivity in Green Energy Transitioning in the Global South”
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Simone Borghesi, Director, Florence School of Regulation – Climate, European University Institute

10:45 AM — Panel 1:
“Challenges in Financing and Implementing Green Energy Infrastructure Unique to the Global South”
Panelists:

• Muhammad Zeshan, Research Fellow, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
• Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
• Bhim Adhikari, Senior Program Specialist, IDRC
• Elizabeth Njenga, General Manager, Business Development, KenGen

2:00 PM — Panel 2:
“Towards a Just Green Transition: Integrating National Realities and Inclusivity”
Panelists:

• Agnès Zabsonré, Assistant Professor, Université Nazi Boni, Burkina Faso
• Aisha Nanyiti, Lecturer, Makerere University, Uganda
• Joanes Atela, Executive Director, African Research Impact Network
• Ann Kingiri, Principal Research Fellow and Director of Research and Innovation, African Centre for Technology Studies

4:00 PM — Key Takeaways and Research Agenda
4:30 PM — Closing Remarks

The 2025 PEP Policy Conference will bring together international researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders to bridge research and policy, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development.

PEP is thrilled to welcome participants both in-person and virtually. The event will be broadcast live on PEP’s YouTube channel starting at 9:00 a.m. (UTC+3).