From March 11 to 13, 2026, the first module of the “DREI Lab,” part of the DREI 2.0 (Derisking Renewable Energy Investment) initiative supported by the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP), took place in Kisantu, DRC. This intensive workshop brought together public sector stakeholders in the minigrid sector to deepen their understanding of investment risks, financial tools and public policies related to solar minigrids, thereby promoting sustainable access to energy in the region. The DREI Lab, an innovation within the DREI 2.0 framework, facilitates the co-creation of the DREI study with public stakeholders to ensure ownership of and implementation of the recommendations.
The DREI framework, developed by the UNDP, offers a quantitative approach to help policymakers identify and mitigate risks associated with renewable energy investments. It helps identify cost-effective and scalable solutions by recommending targeted public interventions that reduce, transfer, or offset risks, thereby catalyzing private-sector investment and ensuring access to reliable, clean, and affordable energy.
Access to reliable electricity remains a challenge in the DRC, and small-scale renewable energy solutions, such as solar minigrids, can offer transformative opportunities for communities. The DREI Lab strengthens local capacity for assessing, managing, and mitigating investment risks in the energy sector by fostering collaboration among policymakers, private-sector actors, and AMP partners.
During this three-day module, participants took part in interactive sessions covering:
- An introduction to the DREI methodology, development challenges in various countries, electricity sector indicators, and solar minigrid technologies.
- Basic financial concepts, investment analysis exercises, and public policy frameworks relevant to renewable energy.
- In-depth discussions on DREI risk categories and mitigation tools, comparing participants’ perspectives with those of the private sector.
Using the DREI framework, participants analyzed investment risks, explored mitigation tools, and conducted practical exercises applying the methodology to solar minigrids in the DRC. They also examined challenges such as governance, logistics, and socioeconomic inequalities, and proposed concrete measures to improve the investment climate.
This pilot project strengthens the capacity of public sector actors in the DRC to make data-driven decisions, supports innovative risk mitigation solutions for private investment in rural electrification, and fosters collaboration between local actors and AMP. Over the course of the three modules, participants gain practical skills in financial modeling, risk assessment, and policy evaluation, thereby helping to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and projects ready for financing.
The second module of the DREI Lab was scheduled for April 13–17, 2026. In the weeks leading up to the event, structured interviews were conducted with sector stakeholders, and materials for the next module prepared. AMP DRC, in collaboration with partners, will continue its outreach efforts with the private sector and financial institutions to support investment in solar minigrid projects.
