Annual investment into the off-grid solar industry must increase sevenfold, from the current $3.6 billion USD between now and 2030, to fully contribute to achieving universal electrification. Unlocking this additional investment requires strengthening the legal, policy and regulatory environment that the sector operates in and addressing the broadly recognized market barriers across various markets. This remains an important focus of GOGLA’s sector coordination efforts.

By partnering with the individual NREAs, we have been able to act as a collective knowledge base, fostering cross-regional collaboration amongst them and enabling peer learning and coordination, particularly for regional initiatives. Together, we have focused on six sector priorities, achieving significant progress, from policy and regulatory reforms to removing several market barriers for off-grid solar companies and their customers, as outlined below.

1. Advocacy for Removal of Fiscal Barriers
   In Mozambique, DRC, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon, our partnership is advocating for VAT and duty exemptions on solar products; in Uganda and Malawi, we work to expand existing duty exemptions to include off-grid appliances. Regionally, efforts focus on harmonising tax policies and Harmonised System Codes through the South and East African Centres of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency i.e; SACREEE and EACREEE.
2. Private Sector Involvement in Sector Support Programs
   Public and development partner programs are playing a necessary role in building markets. The impact and effectiveness of these programs has sometimes been undermined by poor design and limited engagement with the private sector. In this regard, in partnership with the NREAs, GOGLA has sought to promote greater private sector involvement in energy access sector support programs such as ROGEAP, EASP, ADELE, and DARES. These efforts have resulted in productive public-private sector consultations, raised awareness for funding opportunities, and prioritized sector needs during and after COVID-19, enhancing participation and uptake of available support by the private sector.
3. Enabling Policies and Regulations
   With the support of NREAs, GOGLA has focused on policy and regulatory reforms to drive private sector investment in renewable energy. Key initiatives include updating Zimbabwe’s energy policies, advocating for a waiver of excise duty on lead-acid batteries in Tanzania, clarifying the application of type approval license fees and supporting the development of e-waste guidelines in Zambia as well as addressing bans on solar fishing lights in Uganda. GOGLA has also contributed to the creation of renewable energy strategies in various regions.
4. Knowledge Management
   GOGLA is enabling informed decision-making by developing resources for NREAs, governments and policymakers. To date, we have produced a study on solar battery tax relief in Tanzania, taxation guidelines for Cameroon and Zambia, and a white paper on climate change action for Mozambique.
5. Cross-Sector Coordination
   Alongside work with NREAs, GOGLA is collaborating with stakeholders in the government sector, global development agencies to establish and maintain off-grid coordination platforms in Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Somalia, and DRC. This coordination promotes government leadership by managing initial meetings, building relationships and maintaining momentum on issues relevant to the sector and energy agencies.
6. Stimulating National Level Dialogue through National Energy Forums
   A robust off-grid solar sector requires effective platforms to convene sector actors from the public sector, development community and private sector. To establish and strengthen these national platforms, GOGLA has supported NREAs in partnership with their respective Energy Ministries to organise national energy weeks and forums, such as the Renewable Energy Days in Uganda, Burundi, Zambia and National Energy Conferences in Mozambique and Malawi. These have proven important national sector convenings.

Successes Achieved to Date

GOGLA’s partnership with NREAs to influence policy changes and advocate for a supportive policy and regulatory environment has tangibly benefitted the Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) sector and laid the foundations for future progress:

• In Cameroon, a new finance law has been enacted that provides fiscal incentives for a wide range of off-grid solar products. 
• Updated Customs Handbooks published in Cameroon and Zambia simplify the importation process and enhance understanding of tax application for renewable energy technologies, removing key market barriers. 
• Uganda authorities lifted the ban on the use of solar fishing lights.
• In Somalia and Cameroon, public-private sector talks led to establishing Off-Grid Coordination Platforms to foster collaboration among stakeholders while in Zimbabwe GOGLA supported operationalizing the existing platform. 
• In Tanzania, GOGLA coordinated dialogue with authorities to address duty assessment and interpretation issues on SHS.

Our partnership has increased NREA engagement and capacity, empowering associations to tackle complex challenges and represent the sector more effectively. Many NREAs have gained the trust of national governments, positioning them as crucial advocates for renewable energy policy reforms, making NREA Partnerships the most equitable and effective way of pursuing appropriate policies and regulations for the growth of the DRE sector.

Looking Ahead: investment and innovation for the long-term

Building on the partnership’s success, we will continue work on the existing focus areas, while broadening our capacity to address important and emerging issues:

We will continue to drive the conversation on responsible taxation, greater recognition and inclusion of off-grid DRE solutions in national energy landscapes, improved sector coordination and greater adoption of market building programs and activities.

Looking forward, we anticipate that we will see increased interest and focus on Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE), powering of public institutions and services, as well as emerging opportunities such as energy access in the face of climate change (including climate finance) and development of local manufacturing, amongst others.

Addressing these evolving priorities will require enhanced collaboration and sustained resources to support both GOGLA and its NREA partners. NREAs require additional institutional and financial support to strengthen their ability to be effective national advocates. GOGLA needs to continue its role as a coordination hub to leverage insights gathered from various markets and to foster collaboration among key stakeholders and government engagement, resulting in acceleration of progress toward energy access targets and productive use in local off-grid communities.