Global South
Supporting and empowering climate-resilient, thriving Global South communities through radical implementation
216M
can avoid climate displacement by 2050
759M
can gain access to electricity
38M
can be employed in energy jobs by 2030
We Must
Strengthen climate and economic resilience
Deliver clean energy solutions where they are most needed
Empower vulnerable communities to have an ownership stake in their future
RMI Will
Ensure communities have access to affordable, reliable, and clean power—while enhancing resilience and addressing energy poverty.
Bring together governments and utilities to plan and scale clean energy solutions to augment existing grids and increase access.
Unlock and mobilize the critical finance needed to reduce energy poverty and dependence on fossil fuels.
Facilitate communities of practice to incubate and connect climate leaders driving local energy transitions.
RMI is accelerating distributed energy resources as a conduit for clean, affordable, and equitable power.
Dr. James Fletcher
Managing Director of Soloricon
We can put all of our countries on a path to sustainable development by making the investments in our infrastructure, in our social services, in our environment.
Is “Natural” Gas a Solution?
RMI believes that each nation, particularly in the Global South, has a sovereign right to choose its own path to economic development, and any promotion of renewable energy should be driven by national decision makers. As such, we are actively carrying out deep analysis and research and working with leaders on the ground to understand the political economy through regulatory support and investment preparation. With this profound empirical engagement, it is increasingly clear that current efforts to develop new infrastructure for “natural” gas should be reconsidered. Distributed energy resources such as solar, wind, efficiency, and battery storage, are cheaper, more inclusive, and resilient in spurring local economic growth. More in-depth country-specific energy planning is required to determine what, if any, role natural gas should play in the Global South.
What We Do
RMI’s Global South Program works across three core geographies - Africa, Southeast Asia, and island nations - to address barriers to the energy transition and achieve radical implementation at scale. RMI tackles these challenges using upstream, midstream, downstream, and cross-cutting interventions.
In the upstream, we demonstrate inclusive energy planning and policy processes that create the enabling environment for investment. In the mid-stream, we test and pilot projects to address a wide range of energy needs. Downstream, we provide climate finance access support to countries that have not received their fair share of funding. Cross-cutting all of this is our unique approach to capacity building and workforce development.
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Africa Energy Program
Stimulating thriving economies and communities by expanding reliable energy access and accelerating clean energy adoption.
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Islands Energy Program
Partnering with island nations to transition to resilient, affordable, distributed clean energy sources that benefit all.
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Southeast Asia
Prioritizing energy independence, fossil fuel transitions, inclusive economic development, and clean urban environments for a secure energy future.
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Energy Transition Academy
Empowering energy professionals to be leaders in clean energy locally and climate action globally.
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Climate Finance Access Network
Unlocking climate finance by building lasting capacity in developing countries.
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Research & Analysis
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Article
Can India’s Mobility Sector Say Farewell to Fossil Fuels?
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News
With Climate Finance Top of Mind at COP29, Climate Finance Access Network Expands into Three African Countries
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Article
Climate 101: NCQG, The Key Climate Goal Behind the Acronym
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Article
Electrifying Communities, Empowering Livelihoods
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Report
Planning for Net Zero: Best Practices for Indian Banks and NBFCs
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Report
Energizing Public Transit for Islands
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Article
Thanh Ha: From Vietnam’s Coast to A Leader in Green Steel
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Report
Powering Up the Global South
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Article
Powering a Brighter Future for Nigeria
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Article
Deji Ojo: Powering Nigeria’s Agricultural Future
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Article
Laura Diez: Championing Island Communities and Gender Equity
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Article
Growing Markets for Grid-Connected Battery Storage in India
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Report
A Vision for E-Mobility in Nigeria
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Article
Nigeria’s Ambitious Goal of a Clean Transportation Sector
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Report
Comprehensive Guide to Financing the Zero-Emission Trucking Transition in India
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Harvesting Sunshine
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Report
India at 2047
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Article
Saint Lucia: The Land, the People, the Light
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Article
Vikram Singh: Bringing His Global Mindset to RMI
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Report
Transforming Delhi’s Power Grid
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Announcement
RMI and GEAPP Reveal 10-Year Roadmap to 20+ GW Renewable Energy Market Opportunity in Nigeria
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Report
Scaling Utility-Enabled Distributed Energy Resources in Nigeria
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Announcement
RMI Joins Forces with Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority to Accelerate Climate Finance and Clean Energy Projects
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Announcement
RMI’s World Bank DARES Award Expands Program to Scale Renewable Energy Deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Article
RMI in Africa: Meet Some of Our Dedicated and Passionate Nigerian Staff