Its mandate is two-fold: to promote energy security amongst its member countries through collective response to physical disruptions in oil supply and to advise member countries on sound energy policy. It reflects the views of the IEA Secretariat and may not necessarily reflect the views of the individual IEA member countries. Its aim is to provide keys to successful rural electrification policies. Its ^a8e I conclusions and recommendations are based on an analysis of the rural electrification programmes of Brazil, China, India and South Africa. Many thanks also to Peter Taylor, Head of the Energy Technology Policy Division and Stefanie Held, Head of the Technology Network Unit, for their supervision. Frank Haugwitz (EU-China EEP), Emilio Lebre La Rovere (CGEE), Haibo Meng (IEEP), Kadri Nassiep (SANERI), Martin Obermaier (PPE/COPPE/UFRJ), Marcelo Khaled Poppe (PPE/COPPE/UFRJ), R.K. Sachdev, Daniel Werner (GTZ), the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy and the South African Department of Energy Electrification Chief Directorate for their contributions, comments and provision of country-specific data.