Perspective | Reflections from Marrakesh: Key takeaways from the Green Investment Dialogue

Martijn Veen, Global Head of Energy, SNV

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in the Green Investment Dialogue in Marrakesh, convened by Climate Parliament and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with support from the Green Climate Fund.

The event brought together Members of Parliament from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania — a powerful assembly focused on one pressing question: How can climate finance be better mobilised to transform national ambitions into concrete clean energy actions across sub-Saharan Africa?

The urgency is clear. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions yet faces disproportionate climate impacts. Yet only 3% of global climate finance reaches the continent. Between 2015 and 2023, Africa received an average of around USD 5-6 billion annually in climate finance — far below the estimated USD 30-50 billion needed each year to meet its energy transition goals.

This gap highlights a significant challenge. Mobilising climate finance is not just about increasing numbers but about aligning investments with national priorities, enabling policy environments, and building the capacities required to develop bankable projects. Political leadership and multi-sector collaboration are indispensable.

At the event, SNV highlighted the role of distributed renewable energy, clean cooking, and productive energy applications that build climate resilience while supporting economic development. We shared lessons from Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania, where decentralised programmes such as EnDev, KOSAP, and BRILHO have supported large-scale clean energy transitions and green growth. We emphasised the importance of conducive policies, delivery models, and innovative financing to leverage investments and accelerate a just energy transition.

A just energy transition requires energy access for all

Energy transition discussions often focus on large-scale renewables, overlooking that over 600 million people still live off-grid and will not be reached by big infrastructure soon. Decentralised alternatives are essential — we can only speak of a ‘just energy transition’ if no one is left behind.

No one-size-fits-all: tailored, localised solutions matter

In many off-grid areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, decentralised renewables offer the lowest-cost option. With varied local contexts — population density, economic activity, capacity to pay — a mix of solutions is needed, including mini-grids, solar home systems, mesh grids, and clean cooking technologies.

A conducive enabling environment is key — keep it simple and stable

As most decentralised solutions are offered by the private sector, governments have a critical role in creating a conducive environment through laws, policies, quality standards, regulations, and financing instruments (e.g., guarantees, subsidies, tax incentives) that incentivise and de-risk investment.

From energy transition to economic transformation — partnerships are essential

Participants acknowledged the need to consider intersectoral economic value when stimulating renewable energy investments, looking at opportunities for productive use of energy in agriculture, industry, and livelihoods. This generates business activity, employment, and income, requiring collaboration across sectors — private sector, investors, governments, and development partners.

Dream big!

Parliamentarians are in a unique position to change laws, policies and regulations at national level, impacting the lives of millions of people in their countries. There are inspiring examples across Africa where distributed renewable energy markets are now delivering impact at scale supported by critical interventions at government level.

Discussions in Marrakesh demonstrated that bridging the gap between ambition and action depends on sustained engagement and innovative financing mechanisms. As countries strengthen their climate policies and raise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the need for clear, inclusive financial pathways becomes even more urgent.

Climate finance must ultimately serve the people and economies most vulnerable to climate change, driving cleaner energy access, resilience, and inclusive growth. The Green Investment Dialogue was a valuable step forward, and SNV remains committed to working alongside governments, communities, and partners to transform financial commitments into meaningful, lasting change on the ground.