Siemens Stiftung on behalf of the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) Consortium is launching its first “SESA Call for Entrepreneurs”, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises with a focus on sustainable energy solutions in Ghana, Malawi, Morocco and South Africa. Women-led enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply.  Reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access has been a challenge for rural communities in Africa. SESA, a European Commission-funded project, aims to test, validate and later replicate innovative solutions as well as business models to accelerate the green transition across the African continent. It was launched in October 2021 with a duration of 48 months and is operational in nine African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. Energy access for productive use that creates value, by increasing productivity or income, and job creation is strongly correlated with economic development in rural areas. This “Call for Entrepreneurs” focuses primarily on the Productive Use of Energy (PUE) solutions. Each of the four participating countries Ghana, Malawi, Morocco, and South Africa has developed an individual country challenge with a stronger local focus, concentrated in specific areas to address their regional dynamics. Entrepreneurs selected by this call will receive a range of...

The Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) consortium is delighted to announce the winners of the 2nd SESA Call for Entrepreneurs 2023. After a rigorous selection process led by SESA partner Siemens Stiftung, eight local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) from Cote D’Ivoire, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania have been chosen to drive forward access to sustainable energy solutions across Africa. Meet the selected entrepreneurs: Cool Lions Energies from Abidjan, Côte d‘Ivoire Dritoven Engineering CC from Windhoek, Namibia Ohengo Investments CC from Windhoek, Namibia Havenhill Synergy Limited from Abuja, Nigeria Powerstove Energy from Abuja, Nigeria EcoGreen Solutions Ltd from Kigali, Rwanda SLS Energy from Kigali, Rwanda Simusolar Limited from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania The SESA project, funded by the European Commission, operates across nine African countries with local and international partners. The initiative aims to test and validate sustainable energy solutions and business models that can be replicated and generate local opportunities for economic development on the African continent. The selected SMEs demonstrated expertise in addressing Africa’s energy access challenges, particularly in rural and off-grid communities. Their initiatives encompass a range of technologies, including innovative solar home systems, solar irrigation solutions for small-holder farmers, waste-to-energy solutions for clean cooking, and...