Fast tracking energy access for the hardest to reach

Why we need a new energy access model

565 million people in sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford basic energy access. The International Energy Agency estimates by 2030, over half a billion people will still be waiting to be connected to electricity.

Universal energy access will not be achieved by current sales models with high upfront costs that exclude the poorest rural households and lack long-term service guarantees.

What is REAL Programme Catalyst?

REAL Programme Catalyst is a not-for-profit programme developer, partnering with governments and funders to fast-track the adoption of scalable, affordable and long-term Energy-as-a-Service programmes in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Using a service-based approach, REAL deploys solar home systems (SHS) at scale to connect the largest number of remote populations to long-term, foundational energy access at the speed required to achieve SDG7.

REAL Programme Catalyst’s energy access blueprint delivers three core benefits:

01. Affordability

Removing upfront costs through smart subsidies, eliminating lump sum payments and credit checks, with significantly lower monthly fees ensures truly inclusive energy access for the hardest-to-reach.

02. Comprehensive coverage

Bulk procurement, cost-efficient deployment and installation of standardised systems achieves high-penetration rates faster than individual sales of solar home systems. SHS as an infrastructure with service-based payments and operation ensures community-wide coverage.

03. Sustainability

REAL Programme Catalyst’s Energy-as-a-Service model ensures long-term system performance and maintenance, whilst being cash-flow positive for operators without ongoing subsidies. Operators are incentivised to use durable, built-for-service products, reducing failures and minimising e-waste.

What does REAL Programme Catalyst do?

We catalyse programmes and develop partnerships to rapidly deploy sustainable and scalable Energy-as-a-Service models, starting with foundational SHS deployment.

REAL Programme Catalyst supports governments and their development partners across Sub-Saharan Africa in designing, funding, and implementing large-scale, sustainable energy access programmes that prioritise hard-to-reach communities.

Our model deploys solar home systems as infrastructure, using a service-based approach to connect the largest number of remote populations to long-term, foundational energy access as quickly as possible. REAL’s SHS-as-a-Service (SHSaaS) approach delivers an affordable, quality and sustainable service, ensuring that once households gain access to energy, they stay connected.

Leveraging hands-on experience designing and implementing programmes in diverse markets, REAL Programme Catalyst applies a data-driven blueprint to deliver affordable, reliable power to the hardest to reach through:

Catalytic Programme Facility

Supporting governments and their development partners across sub-Saharan Africa in designing, funding, and implementing large-scale, sustainable Energy-as-a-Service programmes that prioritise hard-to-reach households.

Market Development Facility

Leading the development of best practice for Energy-as-a-Service electrification programmes through advocacy and new industry standards, research, template and tool development and advisory services and capacity development.

REAL world impact

Our pilot projects in rural communities across Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Madagascar are creating long-term connections, building sustainable operations, and delivering first-time energy access through Energy-as-a-Service.

Un homme souriant derrière une machine à coudre dans un atelier, avec des mannequins et des vêtements suspendus en arrière-plan.

Sierra Leone

Proves high penetration rates ranging from 88 % to 100 %.

Femme souriante assise à une machine à coudre dans une pièce modeste avec un mur en terre battue, un petit fenêtre avec des stores en bois, et un plafond en bois

Malawi

Proves that the model can reach people living in extreme poverty.

Homme travaillant en intérieur, portant un t-shirt jaune, utilisant des outils de construction contre un mur

Senegal

Proves ability to reach very remote villages, such as islands.

Une maison en tôle ondulée avec un toit métallique, un homme debout à la porte d'entrée, dans un environnement en plein air avec un ciel bleu.

Proves ability to integrate SHS connections in mini-grid concessions

Madagascar

REAL Programme Catalyst was co-founded by sector leaders from three impact-driven organisations, with decades of combined experience in off-grid solar.