As part of efforts to boost electricity acces in the sub-region, ECOWAS, through the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), is offering its financial support of up to $250,000 to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) dealing with solar power.
The grant will be offered in varying stages to start-ups, early-stage companies and growth-stage companies in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Chad, and Mauritania.
The grant will be funded by the Clean Technology Fund (CFT) and the Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) of Netherlands through Project Fund Manager (PFM).
This came to light during the just-ended second Inofrmation and Awareness Workshop of the Network of ROGEAP Journalists at Lome, Togo.
How it works
Addressing journalists at the event, the Team Lead of PFM, Niyibizi Mbanzabigwi, explained that eligible start-ups must have a full-time staff of three and must have sold not less than 1,500 of solar kits, and with an annual revenue of not less that $100,000.
However, there are still opportunities for start-ups that do not meet this criteria, the PFM team lead disclosed.
Also, for early-stage companies, they are expected to have three to 25 full-time staff and must have sold not less than 300-30,000 solar home kits or 1,500-50,000. They are also expected to have an annual revenue of not less than $3million.
PFM also expects that growth-stage companies should have at least 25 full-time staff, should have sold not less than 30,000 solar home kitss or 50,000 lanterns. They should also have an annual revenue of not less than $3million.
The team, therefore, encouraged firms to prepare their business plans, especially for the upcoming bid of interest in April in order to take advantage of the opportunity.
Allaying any fears, Mr Mbanzabigwi gave the assurance to help train SMEs theoughout the stages of their business plan and proposals to ensure no prospective SME is left out.
Increased investment
In speech read for him, ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Sédiko Douka, stressed the need for increased investment in awareness raising around the project.
“We need to communicate more the importance of solar. We are all aware of the importance of energy to our survival. And this is why, ECOWAS has decided to improve access,” he said.
For his part, Hodabalo ASSIH, representing the Director General of Energy of Togo, expressed hope that the network would achieve its goal by being dynamic and ensuring that collaboration with stakeholders is strengthened.
Abdoulie Gassama, President of the ROGEAP Journalists Network, explained the significant role the network members play in increasing the viability of the project.
“Members of the Network attach importance to the project because they’re cognizant of the significance of energy security for their respective countries,” he added.