The French Development Agency (AFD) and the Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) have recently launched a call for projects aimed at young Africans who are developing sustainable off-grid solutions to facilitate access to electricity in Africa. Through this programme, which is already in its second edition, some 10 project leaders will receive a budget of €1,600,000 to finance their activities.
The AFD and Ademe launched a call for projects for the second time for young Africans with solutions in the off-grid renewable energy sector. Through this initiative, the two French organisations want to “financially support projects that facilitate access to renewable energy in Africa. ”Projects should “implement innovative technologies and/or organisations that generate sustainable economic activities by reducing the environmental footprint over the entire life cycle. ”Projects must focus on at least one of the following areas: electricity and sustainable forms of heat or cooling production.
The deadline for receipt of applications is December 16, 2019. Full details of this offer are available at http://bit.ly/2kZTzRZ
The first edition launched in 2017 rewarded 9 projects with €5.8 million in public support worth €1.8 million.
Relying on the private sector to light up Africa
Africa needs 7 GW to meet its electricity needs, according to World Bank reports. This situation is costly for the continent, as it loses about two percentage points of growth per year. However, it has an enormous solar potential, with a degree of sunshine twice as high as in Europe. Yet in 2013, renewable energies accounted for barely 5% of the solar energy mix in Africa. Through calls for projects such as the one just launched by Ademe and AFD, international organisations hope to support private structures in the implementation of sustainable energy solutions in order to improve electricity supply on the continent.
Luchelle Feukeng
