New partnership for Global Off-Grid Solar Forum
The Global Distributors Collective will be an official organising partner for the upcoming 8th Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo 2024. We’ve helped shape the agenda to ensure last mile distributors have a strong voice at the event, and we’ve liaised with the hosts and partners to provide support for distributors to attend in person.
Co-hosted by the Global Association for the Off-Grid Solar Energy Industry (GOGLA), the World Bank’s Lighting Global Program and the Government of Kenya, the international gathering will take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 8-10 October 2024.
Over 1,500 people are expected to attend, including investors, manufacturers, policymakers, distributors and development actors. We have been working closely with GOGLA to ensure the agenda represents diverse stakeholders – particularly last mile distributors – and a broad range of energy technologies.
As part of the main agenda we will deliver three sessions, each focusing on a current challenge for last mile distributors that operate in the energy access space. GDC members will play a central role in panel discussions and bring to life the opportunities they wish to take, and the challenges yet to be overcome.
Our sessions will focus on benchmarking performance for distributors, improving last mile repair and product sustainability, and leveraging Energy as a Service as a potential solution for the hardest to reach customers.
Discounted tickets and sponsorship for members
We’ve worked closely with the event organisers and other partners to secure sponsorship for GDC members and make event entry more affordable for small and local distributors.
In collaboration the Energy Saving Trust we have secured full sponsorship, including flights, accommodation and event entry, for six GDC members.
Self-funded members are also eligible to apply for significantly discounted tickets. Companies can register for a 45% rate ticket (compared to the regular price) through the event website form.
To qualify, your organisation will need to meet at least three of the following criteria: fewer than 25 employees; a turnover under USD$1m; majority national ownership; a management team based in the country of operation; or be owned or co-owned by a woman.
Connect with the GDC team
Our team will be attending the event in person. Members can connect with us and each other and keep up to date on our event activities by joining our WhatsApp member groups . You can also reach out to our staff team via email: gdc@practicalaction.org.uk if you want to connect in advance of the event in Nairobi.
Sessions led by the Global Distributors Collective
Summaries of each session are provided below. The agenda, venue and registration information is available on the event website. The full list of confirmed speakers and times will be published shortly.
Benchmarking Performance at the Last Mile
In partnership with Hystra we will launch our new benchmarking tool for last mile distributors, investors and technical assistance providers.
Based on data from over 100 last mile distributors around the world, this forthcoming, freely available, practical resource explains how the KPIs can be used, and provides benchmark values for companies to assess their performance.
The session will be an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders across the sector to align on performance metrics, share insights, and collaborate on driving last mile distributors towards greater efficiency and impact.
We will explore how these indicators can be used to assess business performance, identify areas for improvement and enhance transparency.
Guest speakers will showcase how they have implemented the KPIs to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Last Mile Repair: A Collaboration Opportunity for Manufacturers and Distributors
Delivered in partnership with Bopinc, this session focuses on how distributors and manufacturers can collaborate on mutually beneficial opportunities to improve last mile repair and product sustainability.
An estimated 75% of the 150 million solar energy kits distributed in Africa since 2010 no longer work. And while distributors have expanded repair services and networks and developed proprietary repair apps, it’s clear a more structured, collaborative approach is needed to increase reliability and repairability.
Delivered as a round table dialogue, participants will share challenges, potential solutions and explore what support is required to resolve this critical issue. This session will be particularly useful for manufacturers, last mile distributors, donors, impact investors, grant and technical assistance providers, and sector support organisations.
Beyond PAYGo: Business Model Adaptations for the Hardest to Reach
This session will spotlight the experiences of last mile distributors who have provided Energy as a Service (EaaS) solutions to customers living on low incomes and in some of the most remote areas.
Distributors will share their successes, feedback from their customers, challenges that need to be overcome, and the support they need to ensure communities are not left behind when it comes to energy transition.
We’ll discuss the current barriers PAYGo presents to customers, the limitations of this business model, and the potential benefits of EaaS. Plus we’ll discuss what supported is needed for the industry to adapt its financing models, business models, and products to the EaaS model.
The session will appeal to organisations interested in EaaS as a potential mechanism for improving energy access for the hardest to reach communities.