{"id":7408,"date":"2026-07-21T20:10:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T20:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/econoler.com\/?post_type=case_study&p=7408"},"modified":"2026-07-23T22:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T22:24:41","slug":"providing-the-evidence-for-inclusive-energy-transition-financing-in-the-mena-private-sector","status":"publish","type":"case_study","link":"https:\/\/econoler.com\/en\/case-studies\/providing-the-evidence-for-inclusive-energy-transition-financing-in-the-mena-private-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Providing the Evidence for Inclusive Energy Transition Financing in the MENA Private Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A region rich in potential, held back by financing gaps<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia share strong renewable energy potential alongside growing energy demand driven by urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. At the same time, their energy systems remain heavily influenced by fossil fuels and face structural constraints, including limited access to financing, regulatory barriers, and infrastructure limitations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The private sector, and especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), plays a critical role in economic activity and innovation but often lacks the financial and institutional support needed to scale energy efficiency solutions. Persistent socio-economic and gender inequalities further affect access to energy-related opportunities. This combination of high renewable potential, rising energy needs, and persistent investment and inclusion gaps makes the three countries highly significant contexts for advancing innovative and inclusive energy efficiency financing models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Creating value across the energy financing ecosystem<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The project generates value for a broad ecosystem: students, universities, the energy financing sector, and SMEs across the three countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For universities and students, it enhances research skills, provides hands-on experience with real-world energy efficiency challenges, and increases academic visibility through publications and conferences. For SMEs and the broader energy financing ecosystem, it produces evidence-based insights on market barriers, risks, and opportunities, enabling better-informed investment decisions. Crucially, the research highlights the best design of more inclusive and accessible financing mechanisms \u2014 particularly for women and youth-led enterprises \u2014 contributing to improved access to capital. Over time, this is expected to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency technologies, leading to cost savings, greater business competitiveness, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related publication<\/strong>
Energy Efficiency in Egypt\u2019s Private Sector: Barriers and Drivers<\/em>
Read the article<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A rigorous, multi-country approach grounded in local realities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The project applies a coordinated, multi-country research approach that combines market analysis, primary data collection, and capacity building, all viewed through a gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) lens. As project coordinator, Econoler acts as point of contact for the IDRC and national level research teams based in the three counties: the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT) in Tunisia, the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN) in Morocco, and the American University in Cairo (AUC) in Egypt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work is structured around four core lines of activity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Identifying the main barriers to the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the private sector, taking into account gender equality and inclusiveness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Undertaking analyses of the energy efficiency market to demonstrate its relevance to the private sector<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Proposing innovative financing options and conditions to mobilize private-sector investment in energy and resource efficiency measures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Strengthening the capacity of target countries through research and mentoring, notably by supporting young researchers \u2014 post-doctorates, PhDs, and other postgraduate students \u2014 through peer-to-peer knowledge transfers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Primary evidence is gathered through qualitative data collection, including focus groups, interviews, and surveys conducted at the national level by each team, complemented by robust stakeholder mapping in each country. By examining the barriers to energy efficiency and renewable energy investments from both regional and gender-based perspectives, this methodology is designed to produce findings that are scientifically robust, comparable across countries, and directly relevant to the design of future investment vehicles in the sustainable energy transition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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    Results to date: Early momentum, tangible progress on the ground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Since its launch in 2024, the project has built strong momentum across the three participating countries. Key activities have included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n