ASCENT Programme Grant Agreements

Deal Analysis

The Trade and Development Fund and the World Bank Group's USD 10.8 million grant agreements under the ASCENT Programme represent a targeted effort to bolster clean cooking and distributed renewable energy solutions in eight African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. This financing aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy access, addressing critical energy needs in underserved communities. The involvement of multiple recipients, including RDG Collective, BURN, Yellow, BioLite, and Ignite Energy Access, suggests a diversified approach to project implementation and a focus on reaching a broad range of beneficiaries. The deal is notable for its focus on grant financing, which is crucial for projects with limited commercial viability but high social impact. The participation of the World Bank Group and the Trade and Development Fund lends credibility and signals a commitment to sustainable development goals. The emphasis on clean cooking and distributed solar energy aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change and improve public health outcomes. The involvement of Trade & Development Bank as an investor further strengthens the financial backing for these initiatives, indicating a broader ecosystem of support for sustainable energy projects in the region.

USD 10.8 million in grant financing from the Trade and Development Fund and the World Bank Group.
Focus on clean cooking and distributed renewable energy solutions, specifically solar.
Involvement of multiple recipients across eight African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Participation of the World Bank Group and Trade & Development Bank signals strong institutional support.

Market Context: The market for distributed renewable energy and clean cooking solutions in Africa is characterized by significant unmet demand and a growing recognition of the need for sustainable energy access. Grant financing plays a vital role in de-risking projects and attracting further investment in this sector.

Source Intelligence

KEY DETAILS

The agreements will support clean cooking and distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions across eight African countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia. Quote: "The agreements, totalling USD 10.8 million, will support clean cooking and distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions across eight African countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia, with the goal of expanding access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy." More than 350,000 systems are expected to be deployed, benefiting approximately 1.8 million people. Quote: "Through these partnerships, more than 350,000 systems including solar home systems, clean cookstoves, and other distributed renewable energy solutions, are expected to be deployed, benefiting approximately 1.8 million people, many of them women and youth."

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Deal Size

The agreements, totalling USD 10.8 million, will support clean cooking and distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions across eight African countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia, with the goal of expanding access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

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Location

Nairobi, Kenya, November 2025 – The Trade and Development Fund (TDF), the concessional arm of Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), and the World Bank Group (WBG) have signed five new grant agreements under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Programme. The agreements, totalling USD 10.8 million, will support clean cooking and distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions across eight African countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia, with the goal of expanding access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

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Announcement

Posted by: tdbgroup November 24, 2025

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Signing

Nairobi, Kenya, November 2025 – The Trade and Development Fund (TDF), the concessional arm of Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), and the World Bank Group (WBG) have signed five new grant agreements under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Programme.

PARTIES MENTIONED IN SOURCE

T

Trade and Development Fund investor

"The Trade and Development Fund (TDF), the concessional arm of Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), and the World Bank Group (WBG) have signed five new grant agreements under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Programme."

W

World Bank Group investor

"The Trade and Development Fund (TDF), the concessional arm of Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), and the World Bank Group (WBG) have signed five new grant agreements under the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Programme."

B

BioLite grantee