Two GOPA Consulting Group Companies are key members of the consortium spearheading the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), which has the potential to revolutionize the energy landscape in a sub-region where about half of the population does not have access to electricity.

Financed by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Government of the Netherlands,  ROGEAP is a joint initiative of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) The project is aimed at increasing access to sustainable solar power for households, businesses, public hospitals and schools in the 15 ECOWAS Member States (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo) and 4 other African countries (Mauritania, Central African Republic, Chad and Cameroon).

ROGEAP seeks to develop a regional market for off-grid solar products by harmonizing policies and standards as well as business procedures,  supporting entrepreneurs in business acceleration activities, and providing credits and grants for the deployment of stand-alone solar home systems.

GOPA Agriculture and Finance Consultants  (GOPA AFC) will develop a robust pipeline of commercial financial institutions (commercial banks and microfinance institutions) through tailored capacity-building that focuses on the packaging and delivery of green finance solutions and the management of green finance risks. Support to commercial finance institutions will be done in close collaboration with the West African Development Bank which manages the commercial finance component of ROGEAP.

This will prepare financial institutions to develop products and tools for small and medium-sized enterprises  (SMEs) in the off-grid solar market. Given that the existing solar businesses in the West and Central African region often lack sufficient capital for investment and innovation to meet the significant demand, GOPA AFC  will also support the selection of qualified off-grid SMEs for matching grants, market-entry, and performance-based grants.

GOPA International Energy Consultants Ltd (Intec) is responsible for fostering the development of the regional off-grid market by offering differentiated support to businesses throughout their various stages of development (startup, early stage, growth, and maturity). This will encompass the provision of customized Entrepreneurship and Business Trainings and follow-up support across the eligible West and Central African region. The topics covered will range from the design, sizing, and installation of photovoltaic systems to regional standards, business models, and access to finance. Intec will also take on the role of sharing market intelligence and facilitating stakeholder exchange across the region. This underscores GOPA's commitment to addressing the existing shortcomings in both the technical and business aspects of solar SMEs within the off-grid market in the sector.

“At GOPA, we are driven by making a sustainable difference,” said Anil Ghatikar, Managing Director of GOPA International Energy Consultants Nigeria, Ltd.  “Harnessing solar power for West Africa isn't just a project for us, it's a commitment. Our work within ROGEAP goes beyond solar panels; it's about powering progress, fostering local enterprise, and most importantly, ensuring a sustainable future for West Africa."

Activities are underway in a selection of pilot countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Nigeria.