Speeches by Law.

“You have answered my next question. If I can put to the other two panellists: after the end of the Ayrton Fund in March 2026, Juliette, what kind of engagement would you like to see from the UK Government?”

“Anything to add, Ed?”

“Can I ask on the localisation theme, where there has been a more concerted effort to get platforms off the ground or locally led efforts to scale up, has there been enough effort to bring the skills needed into that mix? Perhaps Dr Steel is well placed to speak to this question. How do you get those skills in terms of …”

“Thank you. Coming back to a topic we were getting into—perhaps starting with Kate—you mentioned the role of the private sector vis a vis blended finance. What do you think is the crucial role of the private sector in all of this?”

“Sorry, Kate, you keep cutting out.”

“We were unable to hear what you said, the line keeps cutting, but perhaps if it is okay I will bring fellow panellists in to see if they agree with your assessment.”

“David, Melita, do you agree with the assessment that the financial and operational delivery infrastructure is best led by the private sector? What does private capital and the private sector mean in your experience of these markets as well?”

“I am sure we will come back on this point. David, do you have anything to add on the role of the private sector?”

“That will bring me to my next question, but if I can press briefly, Melita, on the point you made about some of these institutions—whether it is development banks or whether it is aid programmes directly—not delivering on this promise for those countries most in need. Particularly with aid programmes versus, say, Briti…”

“Okay, so easier to draw in the private sector in those more developed countries, as well as the practicalities?”

“What is it then that blended finance should be doing further on that point? I would like to hear primarily from David on this.”

“So bedding in the ability to pay, as you said. Kate, how does Nithio ensure that its model is inclusive, brings people into the market and does not exclude remote or data poor populations?”

“Do you think the focus on private sector risk has been undermining poverty alleviation? It sounds like there are some strong views on that, but what else could we do there, in your view, Kate?”

“It is good to see the opportunities as well as the risks of private involvement, but what about the role of the development bank specifically? You have said that it is involved in your funding, but how can it focus more in on supporting community led energy?”

“Understood, thank you. What opportunities does the Mission 300 initiative present for scaling community energy access?”

“Maybe briefly, David, on that as well?”

“Thank you.”

“To pick up on this briefly, if I am understanding Melita’s point correctly, earlier it was suggested that this research and development could take place around some of that grassroots community building work that has been talked about so much in this discussion. I will come back to David on this, given that you mention…”

“Does anyone else have any comments on this funding sustainability question?”

“To come on to the sustainability of funding in the sector, what strategies do you think are required to ensure that the impact continues after those investments have been made for the long term?”