Events

PAST EVENT | ESMAP-Africa Energy Learning Series | Unlocking the Solar Energy Potential for Enabling Food Security in Mali | May 14 | 10:45-11:45 AM EDT | Open Event

PRESENTATION | RECORDING

This session will explore a pioneering initiative to harness solar energy for productive use in rural Mali. Bringing together solar technology providers, agriculture SMEs, commercial banks, government institutions, and development partners, the initiative has built a dynamic ecosystem designed to unlock the productive use of electricity (PUE) in underserved communities — and deliver lasting impact on food security. The initiative is implemented by the World Bank in partnership with Deloitte Senegal.  

 

The event will explore: 

  • Field-driven approaches to building solar-powered agricultural ecosystems in rural Mali; 
  • Sustainable business models, blended finance, and the role of aggregators in scaling solar-powered PUE; 
  • How this initiative serves as a scalable and replicable model for the wider region. 

 

Whether you work in energy, agriculture, water, rural development, or finance, this event offers valuable perspectives on bridging the gap between solar potential and food security outcomes. 

 

Opening Remarks

Moderator 

 

 

 

Kwawu Mensan Gaba

Practice Manager

Energy and Extractives

World Bank Group

Fatouma Toure Ibrahima 

Practice Manager 

Water 

World Bank Group

Abdou Mbaye

Senior Energy Specialist 

West Africa Energy 

World Bank Group 

 

 

Presenter

 

Discussants

 

 

 

Salif SOW 

Senior Manager 

Public Sector & Energy  

Deloitte Sénégal

Fred Kizito  

Sr. Agriculture Specialist  

Agriculture Department 

World Bank Group  

Raluca Golumbeanu 

Sr. Energy Specialist 

Energy and Extractives 

Word Bank Group