As the African Development Bank (AfDB) kicks off its first-ever Africa Investment Forum in South Africa, a new report finds that the AfDB’s own support for the most cost-effective energy access solutions lags far behind what is needed – in contrast to its world-leading pledge to scale up energy access on the continent.

While the MDBs endorsed the Sustainable Development Goals, this new report shows that from 2014 through 2017, MDBs directed just 2% of their energy finance toward the off-grid and mini-grid energy solutions.

"This is an important step by the IFC to redirect its investment to align with the Paris Agreement on climate change, and other financial institutions should sit up and pay attention," said Alex Doukas of Oil Change International

Yesterday, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) released a revised draft of its energy sector strategy. The draft of the new strategy is due to be finalized by the end of 2018, and will have bearing on billions of dollars in public finance for energy.

"While this new commitment is an important step forward, it’s not enough. Millions of people are currently being left behind when it comes to accessing clean, affordable energy. The World Bank must commit to significantly scaling up its finance to support energy access for those without it, particularly for distributed renewable energy solutions."