GE Africa and the United States African Development Foundation will team up for the Power Africa Challenge, an off-grid energy initiative aimed at boosting power supply to previously under-served rural and urban population through the deployment of renewable solutions.
The Power Africa Challenge, according to a statement on Wednesday, is a three-year, $2m challenge that will award 20 or more grants of up to $100,000 each to African organisations providing off-grid solutions that deploy renewable resources and power economic activities.
GE Africa and USADF said the Power Africa Challenge, which they fund, would promote innovative solutions that scale-up or extend the use of proven technologies for off-grid energy.
“African-owned and operated businesses or organisations that are developing their own technologies, and/or acquiring and installing technology developed elsewhere, are eligible to apply,” the statement said.
President and Chief Executive Officer, GE Africa, Mr. Jay Ireland, said GE Africa was committed to supporting Africa’s efforts to solve the challenge of insufficient and inconsistent power supply.
He noted that the Power Africa Challenge would fathom how Africa’s challenges on power could best be solved from an African perspective.
“We bring in the technology, but the indigenous people on the ground also have valuable insights on what works best for Africa and innovative solutions to meet the power needs of the continent,” he said.
Similarly, the President and CEO, USADF, Ms. Shari Berenbach, said USADF was pleased to be working with GE Africa on the Power Africa Challenge.
“USADF has been catalyzing people out of poverty for over 30 years. This initiative will help leverage more marginalised and underserved communities into positions to engage in and benefit from inclusive economic growth,” she said.