Case study series: The tools that drive Africa’s green economy

Across Africa, access to electricity is expanding — but access alone is not enough. Without the tools to use that energy productively, communities are unable to turn power into income, jobs and economic growth.

Through the Productive Use Financing Facility (PUFF), Global Energy Alliance is helping bridge that gap. By unlocking financing for solar-powered equipment like irrigation pumps, cold storage and milling machines, the initiative is enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to boost productivity, increase incomes and build more resilient local economies.

Between 2022 and 2024, PUFF supported suppliers and distributors across six African countries, demonstrating how targeted, results-based financing can unlock markets, scale businesses and create lasting impact.

PUFF by the numbers:

• 16,000 appliances distributed across six countries
• 21,500 new and improved jobs and livelihoods
• $83.5 million in financing unlocked
• Up to 57% reduction in equipment costs
• 13x follow-on capital unlocked for every $1 invested
• Over 60% of customers reported increased incomes

By addressing one of the biggest barriers to adoption — upfront cost — PUFF enabled manufacturers and distributors to scale production, expand inventory and reach more customers. Appliance sales increased more than 11 times on average, while businesses reported higher productivity, reduced labor and improved working conditions.

The model also proved catalytic. Participating companies attracted new investment, strengthened their business models and expanded into new markets. At the same time, end users — particularly women, who made up nearly half of all customers — saw their incomes grow significantly, with many starting new businesses or hiring additional workers.

Beyond individual outcomes, PUFF is helping demonstrate a broader systems-level shift: when communities can use energy to generate income, demand for electricity rises, strengthening the viability of energy systems and creating a virtuous cycle of growth, investment and expansion.

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‘The tools that drive Africa’s green economy’’ is part of a series of Global Energy Alliance case studies highlighting impact across the global portfolio. Together, they showcase a consistent model: pairing infrastructure with opportunity, aligning public and private actors and creating pathways to scale that extend beyond individual projects.

From Africa to Asia and Latin America, the series illustrates how Global Energy Alliance is translating its two pillars — Grids of the Future and Powering Opportunity — into tangible results for communities, demonstrating how clean energy can drive inclusive growth, unlock investment and accelerate progress toward universal clean energy access.