CrossBoundary Access Coordinates: an open-source approach to expanding energy access in Africa

CrossBoundary Access Head of Engineering, Japheth Omari, inspects the new installation on-site in Nigeria. The atmosphere is exciting: children play under streetlights while parents express relief at the prospect of affordable, reliable electricity to help improve their income-generating activities.

In 2024, CrossBoundary Access and ENGIE Energy Access launched commercial operations in Niger State, Nigeria, providing first-time electricity to 10,000 people. This is the first phase of a $60 million project financing agreement to connect 150,000 Nigerians over the next three years. This work was recognized by the Africa Solar Industry Association’s Solar Energy Award for Mini-Grid Project of the Year in 2024.

Senior Investment Associate Terry Otinga presents to the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) Financier Circle on CrossBoundary Access. The team has catalyzed a feedback loop by sharing their mini-grid project finance approach, enabling developers and investors to refine and replicate successful models. 

Inspired by the software industry’s open source movement, this radical transparency has spurred investment and progress across the sector.

Operations Assistant Susan Simiyu is focused on streamlining the rollout of CrossBoundary Access-supported battery-swapping hubs through our project with MOPO. These hubs provide quick and flexible access to clean energy, a game-changer for rural businesses.

With two hubs being deployed weekly, the MOPO partnership aims to serve 300,000 Nigerians. Already, 62 hubs are operational, complementing the five mini-grids Japheth helped commission earlier in the year.

In Nairobi, Gabriel Davies, Co-founder and Head of Energy Access at CrossBoundary Access, reflects on the broader mission.

These efforts align with a stark reality: Nigerians alone spent $11.8 billion on diesel, petrol, and generators in 2023. Renewable mini-grids present a cost-effective, sustainable alternative, often for less than $10 per month.

In Seattle, Managing Director Humphrey Wireko attends Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund Summit. Microsoft has been an amazing partner in helping CrossBoundary Access meet its goal of bringing electricity to 1 million people in Africa!

Full Circle: From Frameworks to First Light

Legal Counsel Jane Nduati is finalizing updated investment agreements with Bank of America, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, and African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) Fund.

Meanwhile, CrossBoundary Access continues its collaboration with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency as part of the joint work with ENGIE Energy Access to extend clean energy connections to thousands of Nigerians.

Later that day, Japheth returns to another site to oversee final tests. As night falls, the lights flicker on. For community members gathered to witness this moment, it’s not just about electricity—it’s about opportunity, safety, and a brighter future.

One Year of Open Source, Endless Possibilities

Reflecting on a year of learning, the CrossBoundary Access team takes pride in their momentum—supported by key investors like ARCH, Bank of America, and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. They are building a platform for collaboration and innovation across the energy access sector by openly sharing their financing approach and expanding operations driven by effective partnerships.

Our approach isn’t perfect, but it’s a start,” says Japheth. “With every feedback loop, every partnership, and every new connection, we’re building a roadmap to universal energy access.

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