On 10 April 2026, the Consortium for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (C4SA) Foundation and the OECD Development Centre, in collaboration with Akademiya2063 and the UN Joint SDG Fund, hosted a full-day co-design workshop and officially launched the African Agrivoltaics Platform Initiative (AAPI) at the OECD Headquarters in Paris. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including African government representatives, multilateral institutions, researchers, investors, bankers, farmers, and private sector experts, all working toward a shared goal of scaling agrivoltaics across Africa.
The launch marked a significant step in developing a coordinated Africa-focused strategy to accelerate the adoption of agrivoltaic systems, which integrate solar energy generation with agricultural production. Participants reviewed emerging research and case studies from across the continent, highlighting how agrivoltaics can strengthen climate resilience, improve agricultural productivity, optimize land use, support rural livelihoods, and contribute to expanded energy access and decarbonization efforts.
Throughout the discussions, participants acknowledged both the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling agrivoltaics in Africa. Key obstacles identified included limited access to affordable financing, regulatory uncertainties, insufficient project pipelines, and gaps in technical capacity and reliable data. There was strong emphasis on the need for supportive policy frameworks, locally adapted financing solutions, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and improved data systems to guide decision-making.
A major focus of the workshop was the role of innovative financing mechanisms in unlocking investment. Stakeholders explored the potential of a blended finance facility dedicated to agrivoltaic projects in Africa, which could help mitigate risks, provide technical assistance, and attract catalytic capital. There was broad agreement on the importance of establishing a coordinated financing mechanism capable of mobilizing both public and private investment, supporting early-stage project development, and enabling scalable and bankable solutions tailored to African contexts.
In a recorded message, Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture at the African Development Bank, emphasized the importance of agrivoltaics within the food-energy-water nexus and expressed the Bank’s commitment to supporting the initiative. He highlighted its potential to unlock financing and advance food, energy, and water security across the continent.
The discussions also led to a general consensus on key foundational elements of the platform. It was agreed that the initiative should provide a supportive environment for member countries to demonstrate policy leadership and strengthen agrivoltaics sectors. The proposed governance structure will include three dedicated working groups focusing on evidence and capacity-building, project finance, and agri-solar business development. The platform aims to help establish a new asset class for African agrivoltaics, supported by a pipeline of bankable projects across diverse agricultural and ecological zones.
Engagement with African diplomatic missions and country representatives during the launch reflected strong interest in the initiative. Governments emphasized the importance of aligning agrivoltaics with national priorities such as food security, energy transition strategies, climate commitments, and improved access to both public and private finance.
Participants also noted commitments made by G7 countries in the 2024 Pescara Communique to promote partnerships with Africa for agrivoltaics investment. Expectations were directed toward France, which will lead the G7 in 2026 and co-host a France-Africa Summit in Kenya, to take concrete steps in advancing these commitments.
The workshop concluded with the formal launch of the African Agrivoltaics Platform Initiative and a call to action for stakeholders to join this collaborative effort. Immediate next steps include expanding engagement with governments, strengthening public-private partnerships, refining governance structures, establishing the three working groups, and mobilizing resources for implementation. The outcome document serves as a public record of the discussions and reflects a shared commitment to advancing integrated, sustainable solutions at the intersection of energy, agriculture, and development across Africa.
