From 21 to 24 April 2026, Nairobi, Kenya hosted the ARE Energy Access Investment Forum 2026 (EAIF), one of the leading global events connecting investors, innovators, and policymakers working to accelerate energy access across Africa and beyond. EMERGE was present at this high-profile forum, with active dissemination activities carried out Engreen, one of the project’s key partners represented by Francesco Roncallo, Head of Business Development.

Bringing EMERGE to a Global Stage

At the EAIF 2026, Francesco represented EMERGE at the Engreen exhibition booth, engaging with participants from across the energy access ecosystem including development finance institutions, private sector actors, NGOs, and research organisations. The forum provided an excellent opportunity to present EMERGE’s mission, tools, and ongoing progress to stakeholders who are directly invested in the future of sustainable energy in Africa.

Among the most promising interactions at the forum was a conversation with EnAccess, a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing open-access tools and technologies for the energy access sector. Francesco had the opportunity to present EMERGE and discuss potential areas of synergy, exploring how the project’s energy modelling toolbox and EnAccess’s open digital infrastructure could complement each other in supporting sustainable energy transitions across the African continent.

This exchange with Vivien Barnier, CEO of EnAccess, opened up interesting perspectives for future collaboration a development that aligns well with EMERGE’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and open, participatory approaches to energy system development.

Cover photo credits: Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE)

EAIF 2026 is organised by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), and co-hosted by the European Union through its Global Gateway strategy. The Forum is supported by GET.invest, a leading European programme that mobilises investment in clean energy, co-funded by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria. EAIF 2026 took place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 21-24 April 2026. The Forum set new benchmarks, welcoming over 800 participants on site, facilitating 1,000 GET.invest matchmaking meetings, and bringing together more than 200 investors. Source: www.eaif.energy