United States African Development Foundation president Shari Berenbach (left, seated) and General Electric Africa CEO Jay Ireland sign documents to launch a $2 million “Off-Grid Energy Innovation Challenge” to power Africa. Standing: US Embassy economic counsellor David Rene and GE Africa corporate communications director Patricia Obozuw. Diana Ngila
General Electric (GE) has partnered with the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) to explore innovative means of increasing electricity supply in Africa.
Through a competition dubbed “Off-Grid Energy Innovation Challenge’’, GE is looking for individuals in Kenya and Nigeria who will develop or have developed a concept that can provide solution to rural electrification problems.
Applicants must develop proven technologies for off-grid energy.
The initiative to be funded to a tune of $2 million is the brainchild of the American government and will run for three years.
Winners who demonstrate energy solutions that meet the needs of both entrepreneurs and the community will scoop up to $100,000 to be used in developing or commercialising their projects.
Winners will be announced later this year.
“The initiative will help leverage more marginalised and underserved communities into positions to engage in and benefit from inclusive economic growth,’’ said Shari Berenbach, the chief executive officer USADF.
The foundation focuses on funding African enterprises that seek to build capacity and economic growth in local communities and has in the past years offered grants to more than 350 groups across Africa.
Jay Ireland, the executive officer at General Electric Africa, said the initiative was inspired by the growing need for community empowerment through initiatives that improve both social and economic development.
He said the initiative has the potential of creating community-based factories that can offer alternative source of income.
