Key Takeaways

  • The third edition of the Open Source Energy Access Symposium is underway, bringing together policymakers, developers, researchers and practitioners to showcase new technologies and advance open-source solutions for energy access.

KIGALI, Rwanda (October 26, 2026) – Today, WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition and EnAccess open the third edition of the Open Source in Energy Access Symposium (OSEAS) at the CMU-Africa Innovation Hub in Kigali. Over the next two days, OSEAS 2026 is bringing together policymakers, developers, researchers, entrepreneurs and energy practitioners to explore how open source technologies, better data and stronger collaboration can help expand access to reliable energy. 

As interest in digital public goods and open source technology continues to grow, OSEAS is becoming the forum for sharing knowledge, showcasing practical solutions and advancing collaboration across the energy access ecosystem. More than 655 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, despite significant advances in energy access over the past decade. By connecting tool developers, policymakers, investors and practitioners, the symposium helps accelerate the adoption and improvement of open-source technologies that support energy planning, electrification and energy service delivery contributing to efforts to close the global energy access gap. 

Open source approaches are creating new opportunities to strengthen data-informed energy planning and implementation by making critical tools, data and methodologies widely accessible. Doing so enables a broader community of governments, researchers, entrepreneurs and practitioners to contribute to, improve and apply solutions that support energy access around the world. 

One of the symposium's key highlights is the launch of Energy Access Explorer (EAE) version 3.0, the first major update to the award-winning platform since 2023. Following the addition of the Democratic Republic of the Congo earlier this year, the new release expands EAE's coverage to Rwanda and introduces enhanced functionality to support more detailed analysis, improve prioritisation and better inform energy planning and electrification decision-making. 

OSEAS 2026 also showcases the progress of MicroPowerManager (MPM), with the launch of MPM 1.0, an open source platform for mini-grid customer and asset management that supports the operation of decentralized electric utilities. MPM 1.0 is the platform’s first stable release, combining a growing library of payment, SMS and localisation integrations, a refreshed design, and a dedicated mobile app for field agents in one free, open-source package. For mini-grid and solar home system operators, that means a reliable, community-backed tool they can adopt, adapt and scale with, wherever they operate. 

The symposium also spotlights the finalists of the OSEAS Open Source Hackathon, which began on September 28 and challenged participants to contribute directly to open source energy access projects. During OSEAS, shortlisted teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges before the winners are announced at an awards ceremony, highlighting new ideas and emerging talent from across the open source community. 

"Energy access challenges are too large and too complex for any one institution to solve alone. Open-source approaches enable governments, researchers, entrepreneurs and practitioners to build on a shared foundation of tools, data and expertise rather than starting from scratch. OSEAS exists to help turn that collective effort into practical action," said Eric Ruzigamanzi, Country Representative for WRI Rwanda.

"Open source lets the energy access sector stop reinventing the wheel. When tools like MicroPowerManager are built in the open, local operators and governments can adapt them to their own needs and keep the value close to home. OSEAS is where that collaboration turns into real progress,” said Vivien Barnier, Managing Director, EnAccess.

In addition to the launch of EAE 3.0 and MPM 1.0, OSEAS 2026 is featuring technical workshops, product demonstrations, panel discussions and collaborative working sessions focused on the future of open-source innovation in the energy access sector. 

The symposium is organised by EnAccess, the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition and Energy Access Explorer, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University Africa and supported by partner The Gym and sponsors the World Bank, the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and EnDev. 

To learn more about OSEAS 2026, view the symposium agenda which is underway and visit www.oseas.org. 

About OSEAS 

The Open Source in Energy Access Symposium (OSEAS) is a global forum dedicated to advancing open-source solutions for energy access. Co-organised by the EnAccess Foundation, the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition and Energy Access Explorer, OSEAS brings together policymakers, developers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and practitioners to share knowledge, showcase practical solutions and strengthen collaboration across the energy access ecosystem. 

About the EnAccess Foundation 

EnAccess supports Open Innovation, Collaboration, and Interoperability in Energy Access. Our vision is a world where everyone has access to safe, clean energy. EnAccess provides funding, technical assistance, project certification, and maintains a library of high-quality Open Source tools. 

About the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition 

The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition harnesses analytical power, convening ability and global expertise to support the journey toward a clean, abundant and reliable energy future. As global energy demand surges—driven by advances in AI, rapid electrification and economic transformation—the WRI Polsky Energy Center seeks to overcome critical barriers to modernising and expanding energy grids, scaling financing and deployment, sourcing critical minerals responsibly and building a skilled, future-ready workforce. 

About Energy Access Explorer 

Energy Access Explorer is the first, open-source, online and interactive geospatial platform that enables energy planners, clean energy entrepreneurs, donors, and development institutions to identify high-priority areas for energy access interventions.