Institutionalizing Civil Society Participation and Accountability
Institutionalization
ACCESS strengthens civil society’s role in energy governance, ensuring communities are active participants-not passive recipients.
Through training, finance tracking, and advocacy support, member organizations will monitor affordability, inclusion, and service quality.
The coalition also pushes for formal CSO engagement mechanisms, open data policies, and gender-responsive performance indicators within national and MDB energy frameworks-making accountability a standard practice in the just transition.
Our Role
Scaled-up, strategic and ongoing civil society engagement is needed to ensure:
CSO Participation
Inclusive and effective CSO participation in AfDB and national government integrated planning and decision-making;[SS1] [SR2].
CSO Engagement
Enhanced and effective CSO engagement in wider AfDB decision-making via the new CSO engagement processes at HQ and national level.
Increased Investment
Increased investments in energy access by the AfDB and client governments, particularly in DRE and clean cooking.
Support for Access
This group of key partners, members and industry leaders uses its wide range of experience and skills to support the network and lead on developing our advocacy strategy for the future. More holistic, demand-focused and data driven support for energy access by the AfDB at the HQ and at national level.
Other Strategic Priorities
Reshaping Energy Access Finance
ACCESS advocates for reforms within multilateral development banks (MDBs) to prioritize decentralized renewable energy (DRE) and clean cooking.
Advancing Inclusive and Pro-Decentralization Policies
ACCESS promotes coherent national and regional policies that integrate DRE and clean cooking into core energy strategies.
Promoting Integrated, Cross-Sectoral Energy Planning
Energy access must go beyond connections to transform livelihoods.
Our Approach
Bridging Stakeholders and Communities:
Connect governments and enterprises with energy-poor communities by strengthening CSO and CBO participation at all levels.
Championing Community Needs:
Amplify evidence and lived experiences to inform financing, planning, and policy reforms toward SDG 7 and a just energy transition.
Facilitating Knowledge Exchange:
Provide a platform for members to share lessons, innovations, and best practices in energy access.
Scaling Impact and Influence:
Grow funding and membership to expand regional reach, strengthen policy influence, and enable replication across countries.
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our mission is to advocate for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) to ensure everyone has access to safe, reliable and affordable energy, and for environmentally sustainable and efficient energy systems globally
Who We Are
Our Vision and Values
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to reliable, affordable, safe and sustainable energy to enable inclusive and climate-resilient local development
Our work is anchored in the following organizational values:
- Equity and Inclusion
- Climate and Environmental Justice
- Collaboration and Partnership
- Accountability and Transparency
- Local Leadership and Ownership
- Learning and Innovation
