Adjusting the Scope to Match Client Needs, and Leveraging SIPA Connections

As our project moves into further stages of research, we realized from our communications with the client that our research products are different than what they expected. We experienced a few revisions to the project scope. We first began research on the regulatory landscape in key fragile countries, but we structured our research for both private sector and public sector engagement. After discussing our research products with our client, however, we realized that they would prefer us to focus more on public sector engagement. They also offered us crucial directions for research – outlining key countries to focus on and explaining the organization’s ultimate goals from this engagement. This was very helpful for our team as we re-aligned our research focus to deliver the best results for our client.

Through this process, we learned the importance of frequent, efficient communication with the client. Without their guidance and our effort to maintain open lines of discussion, it would have taken much longer for us to recognize the misalignment in expectations. By proactively adapting our approach, we ensured that our research would be actionable and relevant to their needs. In consulting and policy research, this flexibility is crucial; it allows for a more targeted and effective strategy, minimizing wasted effort and maximizing impact within a limited timeframe.

Insights from Research on Energy Markets in Fragile States

Our research project is extremely rewarding, although sometimes challenging. We were able to dive deep into the electricity and energy markets in four fragile African states, discovering critical flaws in their energy access and identifying opportunities where our client’s product can add value to the existing grid. A key challenge in many of these countries is the financing gap for renewable energy projects. Despite ambitious renewable energy targets, implementation is often stalled due to lack of bankable projects that can attract investment.

One of our focus countries, for example, has set an internal target to site, design, and build a large-scale solar park within this decade. However, securing financing for such a project remains a significant hurdle. Our client’s product offers an additional revenue stream, making the solar park more bankable and attractive to investors. By increasing the financial viability of the project, this product can accelerate its development, directly contributing to the country’s renewable energy goals.

Beyond individual projects, our research has shown that this product could also support broader policy objectives. In many fragile states, public utilities struggle to break even due to high costs and limited revenue streams. The extra revenue generated by our client’s product could help bridge this gap. If utility-built projects in the current or future meet certain criteria, the additional revenue could bring the utility’s total revenue closer to covering its cost of service. Combined with other policy mechanisms such as tariff adjustments and restructuring public sector payment obligations, this could play a meaningful role in stabilizing the financial health of public utilities.

Another major impact area is rural electrification. Due to the product’s large mini-grid focus, our client can position this policy framework as a means of increasing electricity access, particularly in rural areas where electrification rates are low. Many governments in fragile states prioritize rural electrification, recognizing its importance for economic development and social stability. By highlighting the product’s potential to support this objective, our client can strengthen its engagement with policymakers.

Leveraging SIPA Connections for Deeper Insights

In addition to our client’s guidance, our research has also benefited significantly from conversations with professors at Columbia SIPA, particularly those specializing in project finance and energy policy. These discussions provided us with valuable insights into the challenges that renewable energy developers face, especially in fragile countries where risks are elevated due to political, social, and financial instability. Understanding these risks has helped us refine our analysis of how our client’s product can de-risk projects and facilitate financing.

One particularly interesting takeaway was the role of public utilities in fragile states. Our conversations revealed that, despite their financial struggles, utilities are often central players in new energy projects. In many cases, they have the infrastructure and institutional backing to implement large-scale projects, but they lack access to sustainable financing. This insight led us to explore potential collaboration models between our client and public utilities, considering how the product might be integrated into existing utility-led initiatives.

Furthermore, through these conversations, we were introduced to an industry professional based in Africa with deep expertise in power markets. This connection has been invaluable, offering us on-the-ground knowledge that is difficult to obtain through secondary research alone. With their insights, we have been able to refine our policy recommendations and explore new pathways for implementation that we may not have otherwise considered.

Conclusion

Our project has been a dynamic learning experience, requiring us to adapt to client needs, navigate complex regulatory landscapes, and leverage expert insights to refine our research. The process has reinforced the importance of flexibility, proactive communication, and strategic networking in conducting impactful policy research. As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering a research product that not only meets our client’s expectations but also contributes meaningfully to the broader goals of energy access and financial sustainability in fragile states.