The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, managed by the African Development Bank has approved a $995,000 grant to support the roll out of a sustainable procurement framework for Independent Power Producers in Ethiopia.

The SEFA grant will encourage private investments into hydro-power projects through Ethiopia’s Renewable Energy Programme.

The grant provides for environmental and social impact assessments, resettlement action plans, and preparation of bidding documents for hydro projects.

Under a long-term development strategy, the government has outlined a National Electrification Program, targeting universal access by 2025 through a 65% on-grid, and 35% off grid combination.

The goal is to transform the country into a regional energy hub by 2030.