Tech

Sustainable Energy for All signs grant agreements with 19 clean energy developers in Nigeria

Published

7 months ago

April 15, 2024

Global sustainable energy ornaisation, the
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), has announced signing of grant agreements with 19 Nigerian clean energy developers under its Results-Based Financing (RBF) multi-donor fund.

The agreement, which has the endorsement of Universal Energy Facility (UEF) and Stand-Alone Solar for Productive Use (SSPU) programme, will see the deployment of high-capacity solar and battery storage systems to businesses and institutions across Nigeria.

Interim Chief Executive Officer, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Joseph Nganga, who made the announcement, said the systems are expected to be fully installed and operational before the end of this year.

“This marks a significant step forward in our shared vision for a sustainable future. By signing these grant agreements, the UEF is truly making a difference by empowering clean energy developers to bring their innovative solutions to life,” Nganga said.

“I’m incredibly proud of the UEF’s work and excited to see the positive impact these projects will have on many lives.”

He further noted that reliable clean electricity for homes, SMEs, and institutions, will go a long way to transform daily life of users and the society.

“Electricity stays on, harmful petrol and diesel generator sets will be removed, which reduces indoor air pollution and CO2 emissions, equipment runs smoothly, and essential services like healthcare and education can function effectively. This unlocks economic opportunities and improves overall well-being,” he said.

“I am proud of the work we have all done to enable a better environment for the private sector to grow within the energy sector.”

Managing Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, who also spoke on the agreements, said the SSPU systems are game-changers.

“The companies signing the grant agreements are a testament to the policies that have been put in place and capacity building efforts made in the past decade to build the sector.

“These solar power systems provide a reliable source of electricity, unlocking a range of socio-economic benefits.

“This significant expansion builds upon the success of the UEF’s initial launch of the SSPU programme in February 2023 when 10 developers received grants to deploy SSPU units in underserved or unserved communities.

“So far, over 1,600 systems have been installed, serving over 1,200 businesses and institutions such as health and educational facilities.”

The UEF has achieved significant progress over the past year, not only in Nigeria but also in Benin Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, and Sierra Leone, with thousands of Africans benefiting from this facility.

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Tech

Bolt invests $107m in Nigeria to boost safety standards

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ride-hailing platform, Bolt, has announced an investment of $107 million in its bid to boost safety and service quality in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, with a special technology enhancing safety standards for both drivers and passengers.

Lola Masha, Bolt’s Regional Manager for North and West Africa, who made the announcement in a statement, said the “investment will fund new safety technologies, accident prevention measures, customer support upgrades, and public safety awareness campaigns, underscoring Bolt’s commitment to providing a secure and reliable platform.”

She revealed that as part of its quality check, the company had removed more than 5,000 drivers from its platform in 2023 so as to cleanup its database cleanup effort and will continue to implementing a driver score system to maintain quality standards.

“The driver score evaluates performance by monitoring how frequently drivers accept ride requests, successfully complete trips, and respond to passenger feedback. Essentially, it rates drivers based on their performance over their last 100 trips,” she noted.

Masha emphasized that the move came as a result of complains by the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUTON) which raised concerns about the potential downsides experienced by users and the psychological stress on drivers, which could negatively affect their performance.

According to her, among the upcoming features are a four-digit trip pickup code and a trip counter, both aimed at making rides more secure and dependable for all users.

Tech

Egyptian VC Flat6Labs partners ITIDA to launch programme for tech startups

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Egyptian Venture Capital firm, Flat6Labs, has partnered with Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) to launch an InvestIT programme which will offer tech startups in the country, particularly at the seed or pre-Series A stages, access to consultancy, tools, and investor connections to help them scale operations and enhance global competitiveness.

The programme, according to Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr Amr Talaat, will be run by the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), a subsidiary of ITIDA, and will support startups across various governorates, encouraging innovation and growth in Egypt’s digital economy.

“Through two phases, it will prepare startups for investment with tailored training sessions and workshops, followed by connecting them with local and international investors,” Talaat said in a statement.

“The Egyptian government remains steadfast in its dedication to cultivating a thriving tech startup ecosystem. We are rolling out diverse initiatives to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills, attract global incubators, and facilitate connections between startups and investors.

“By establishing Digital Egypt innovation hubs nationwide, we empower innovators to transform their ideas into successful ventures.

“Alongside this, we are streamlining processes and investing in advanced digital infrastructure, positioning Egypt among the top three countries in the Middle East and Africa for tech startup investments,” the Minister said.

Flat6Labs founder and chairman Hany El Sonbaty, who also spoke on the initiative, said the launch of the InvestIT programme has further expanded his company’s support for Egyptian entrepreneurs.

“This programme is not just about preparing startups for investment; it’s about equipping them with the tools and connections to scale their impact.

“Through our collaboration with ITIDA and TIEC, we’re committed to building a strong, vibrant ecosystem where startups can make a real impact on the tech landscape in Egypt,” he said.

The programme, he said, will support 12 startups over six-to-eight months with each startup receiving tailored consultancy services to enhance their investment readiness and assist with setting up data rooms and preparing for investor engagements.