IFC to explore scalable energy financing for Maldives at GM Forum 2026

Ayotunde Osunkunle, Senior Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will deliver a presentation at the Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum 2026, focusing on financing models that can support the Maldives’ transition towards more resilient and sustainable energy systems.

Titled “A Partner for Maldives: Financing the Energy Resilience,” the presentation will form part of the 10th edition of the GM Forum, taking place on 5 October 2026 at CROSSROADS Maldives under the theme “Resilience and Reinvention: Talent, Technology & Transformation.”

Osunkunle’s presentation will examine how IFC, a member of the World Bank Group focused on private-sector development, can support investment in energy infrastructure through financing, capital mobilisation, advisory services and project development. IFC’s broader offering includes debt and equity investments, blended finance, guarantees, syndication, advisory services and support for public-private partnerships.

A key focus of the presentation will be the application of these instruments to the Maldives’ energy transition. IFC identifies distributed generation and battery storage solutions as areas of growing relevance to the country, alongside longer-term opportunities involving emerging energy technologies.

For the Maldivian hospitality sector, where resorts operate independent infrastructure across geographically dispersed islands, investment in renewable generation and storage has become increasingly connected to operating costs, energy security and long-term resilience.

The presentation will outline two potential approaches for scaling energy investment in the Maldives. One involves supporting a developer holding company that finances multiple operating assets, while another would work through a local commercial bank to provide financing to individual operating companies. IFC describes the approach as an effort to develop a scalable solution to support the country’s energy transition.

Osunkunle will also discuss the importance of developing commercially viable and bankable projects capable of attracting private capital. IFC’s presentation stresses that scaling investment requires collaboration between stakeholders, bringing together financing, advisory support, risk-sharing and de-risking instruments to develop a pipeline that can be replicated.

Beyond conventional loans, IFC’s energy financing toolkit includes project and corporate finance, sustainable and green financing, equity and quasi-equity investments, partial credit guarantees and capital mobilisation from other financiers. It can also work with clients during project development through feasibility support, joint development arrangements and advisory services covering areas such as ESG, climate mitigation and sustainability frameworks.

The presentation will draw on international examples of IFC-backed renewable energy investments. These include solar, wind, hydropower, battery storage and distributed generation projects across emerging markets, demonstrating different combinations of loans, equity, blended finance and capital mobilisation.

The session adds an investment and financing dimension to the broader GM Forum 2026 programme, which will examine how the Maldivian hospitality sector can strengthen resilience while navigating changes in talent, technology, regulation and operating conditions.

Among the other announced agenda items is a keynote address by Shrikant Dash, Deputy Managing Director – Corporate at Atmosphere Core, titled “Emotional Ownership — Turning Talent into Your Strongest Asset.” The keynote will examine how hospitality organisations can build stronger employee connection, responsibility and ownership, and turn talent into a long-term organisational strength.

Leadership and Human Capacity Consultant Nora Imeli will deliver “The Human Side of Hospitality: How Emotional Intelligence Shapes the Guest Experience,” exploring how the way leaders manage themselves under pressure influences their teams, workplace environment and ultimately the experience delivered to guests.

SHC Law & Tax will lead a conversational presentation titled “FX Conversion, MMA Approvals and Foreign Tour Operator TGST: Practical Compliance for Hospitality Sector.” The session will feature Dhaanish Mohamed Ameen, Attorney-at-Law; Junaina Ahmed, Attorney-at-Law; and Tholhath Rasheed, Senior Tax Consultant, bringing together legal and tax perspectives on regulatory issues affecting resort operators.

The forum will also feature the panel “Who Will Run the Resorts of Tomorrow? Talent, Retention and the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders.” Moderated by Aishath Ihuma, Director of Business Development at Reollo Group, the discussion will feature Hassan Shamaam, Director of Human Resources at Jumeirah Olhahali Island; Suresh Dissanayake, Assistant Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Heritance Aarah and Adaaran Resorts; and Alexander Traeger, General Manager at CROSSROADS Maldives.

A second panel, “Leading Through Uncertainty: Building Resilient Resort Organisations,” will be moderated by Ismail Maiz Mohamed. Panellists are Mohamed Khaleel, Managing Director of Pulse Hotels & Resorts; Mark Eletre, General Manager of Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa; and Abdulla Yasir, Managing Director and CEO of Visit Maldives.

Established in 2016, the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum provides an annual platform for resort general managers, owners, senior executives, government representatives and industry partners to discuss issues affecting the country’s tourism sector. The 2026 edition marks the forum’s 10th year.

A range of companies supporting different areas of resort operations and the wider tourism industry have partnered with GM Forum 2026.

Dhiraagu is the Premier Sponsor, while STO Energy is the Platinum Sponsor. Bank of Maldives (BML) is the Banking Partner, Dhivehi Insurance is the Insurance Partner, and Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC) is the Beverage Partner.

The Silver Sponsors are Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Villa Hakatha, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) and Atoll Solar. ALIA, Uniforms Unlimited, Maldives Insider and Blue N White are the Associate Sponsors.

Souvenir Marine is the Transport Partner, Manta Air is the Aviation Partner, and Storm Events is the Organising Partner.

Through presentations covering people, regulation, financing and operations, alongside its panel discussions, GM Forum 2026 will examine the different factors influencing how Maldivian resorts prepare for future growth and strengthen their resilience.