The “Micro-Grid Academy Young Talent of the Year Award” competition has selected a number of energy innovation projects, from all over Africa, with the potential to accelerate the green transition and boost economic opportunities. Supported by RES4Africa Foundation, Enel Green Power and the European Investment Bank, the project pushes young entrepreneurs from all over Africa to develop projects to expand access to energy, encourage greater use of renewable energy sources and boost sustainability.
The young finalists, from West, East and Southern Africa, presented their innovative ideas to a committee of experts from the RES4Africa Foundation, Enel Green Power and the European Investment Bank.
Thursday, eight young Africans selected as finalists from nearly 50 candidates presented their projects to international audiences for the first time. The presentation took place during the event Public Competition for the MGA Young Talent of the Year 2021 finalists, and represents the last preparatory phase for the announcement of the three finalists on 28 September 2021, on the occasion of the PreCOP26.
Here are the finalists identified by the selection committee who publicly presented their project ideas and which include the three future winners:
- Adekoyejo Ifeoluwapo Kuye, 26, Nigerian, presented a project focused on a sustainable cold chain for food;
- Alex Makalliwa, 31, from Kenya, presented his heavy-duty electric tricycle initiative in Nairobi;
- Benson Kibiti, 34, Kenya, panned a cart powered by photovoltaics to heat food and provide energy;
- Lucas Filipe Tamele Junior, 24 years old from Mozambique, presented a project focused on the management of waste, biofertilizers and biogas;
- Matjaka Ketsi from Lesotho, 28, has unveiled an initiative to build solar-powered learning centers for rural communities;
- Shedrack Charles Mkwepu, on the other hand, is 26 years old and comes from Tanzania: he has designed a system that allows farmers to control irrigation and other soil parameters from a mobile phone;
- Carol Ofafa, 32, from Kenya, proposed the installation of a photovoltaic system for health facilities;
- Kumbuso Joshua Nyoni, 34 years old from Zambia, imagines an integrated Water-Food-Energy model for photovoltaic energy and a water pumping system.
“The ability to innovate will be a key driver to pave the way for a transformation that goes far beyond the dynamics of the energy sector,” he commented. Salvatore Bernabei, president of RES4Africa and CEO of Enel Green Power. “We are here to give voice and visibility to young talents, innovators and entrepreneurs who promote the best innovative ideas to stimulate socio-economic progress from within and unleash the creativity of the young generations in designing the Africa of tomorrow”.
