Why OSEAS 2026 Matters for Open Source in Energy Access
By Ayobami Adedinni
Join policymakers, developers, and entrepreneurs in Rwanda this October 26-27 to move from theory to implementation through focused collaboration, live prototyping, and critical funding dialogues.
For innovators working at the intersection of technology and energy access, a unique global conversation is taking shape.
The Open Source in Energy Access Symposium (OSEAS), the first and only global event of its kind, is back for its third edition.
Co-organised by EnAccess and the World Resources Institute (WRI), OSEAS has quickly become the flagship gathering for those championing Open innovation to achieve universal energy access. Building on successful editions in Abuja, Nigeria (2024) and Nairobi, Kenya (2025), OSEAS 2026 takes a major step forward by forging a key partnership with Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
The event will be held on October 26-27, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda, a hub for innovation in East Africa.
Highlights from OSEAS 2025
The success in Nairobi demonstrated the power of bringing diverse minds together. Key moments that shaped the agenda included:
• Poster Safari: This session featured posters and live demonstrations of tools like the Energy Access Explorer (EAE), MicroPowerManager, PROSPECT, OnSSET, and many others, sparking new collaborations as participants discovered complementary tools and connected with the teams behind them.
• Hackathon: Developers and energy practitioners collaborated on real-world challenges. These included developing the local-network Open AMI (“Street Pole EMS”) prototype for areas with poor connectivity, porting OpenPayGo, creating AI tools for the Energy Access Explorer, and integrating Kenyan mobile money providers into the MPM.
• Field Visit: A visit to Makueni County showcased Open Source planning in action, from a solar-powered hospital to a mango processing factory, demonstrating how tools like EAE translate into local economic and social impact.
Who Should Care and Why?
If you are a policymaker, entrepreneur, developer, researcher, or donor in the distributed renewable energy (DRE) space, OSEAS is where the tools shaping the future are debated, demoed, and advanced.
For policymakers, it’s a chance to see interoperable, cost-effective digital public goods that can inform national programs. For entrepreneurs and developers, it’s the primary venue to find local collaborators, integrate with existing tools, and showcase their work to funders and potential partners.
The core mission is accelerating progress through shared local & digital public goods. As Sao Fidel from the Rural electrification and renewable energy corporation, REREC reflected after the 2025 edition, “After attending OSEAS 2025 and engaging with Open Source tools and technologies, I was deeply inspired by the possibilities they present in transforming energy access. Witnessing your leadership and contributions to Open Source applications in Kenya was truly motivating. I am eager to get involved in this journey and be part of advancing Open Source solutions in rural electrification efforts.”
Ready to be part of it?
Mark your calendar for OSEAS 2026: October 26-27 in Kigali, Rwanda.
For details on past editions, visit the official event page: https://www.oseas.org/ or check out additional details on the World Resources Institute’s event page.
Sponsorship opportunities are open for organisations ready to back what might be the most practical convening in the energy access calendar. Align your organisation with the pioneers building the infrastructure that will power a sustainable and equitable energy future.
For more information, contact us at oseas@enaccess.org.