African innovators are leading the charge in climate solutions, as evidenced by the recently announced shortlists for the 2023 Ashden Awards. The annual awards highlight 32 climate solutions that are inclusive and regenerative, with 75% of the organizations shortlisted from the Global South hailing from Africa.
The shortlisted organizations span from Kenya to Cameroon and are tackling key climate challenges to create fairer societies while lowering emissions.
Winning organizations, chosen by panels of expert judges, will be revealed this autumn(September/ November) and will benefit from a cash prize and publicity, as well as new connections to investors, funders, and policymakers.
Since the launch of the Ashden Awards in 2001, the initiative has recognized the importance of inclusive climate solutions.
Dr. Stephen Hall, Head of Awards at Ashden, said, “This is a breathtaking collection of climate trailblazers, and we have again been stunned by the range and excellence of climate innovation presented by African organizations. Their work proves we can successfully tackle climate change alongside the world’s other great challenges – like gender inequality, poverty, and the marginalization of refugees, Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable groups.”
While Africa faces the world’s greatest energy poverty challenge, it is also home to many pioneering solutions. In fact, 75% of organizations featured in the international shortlists come from the continent.
“In every award category, we’ve seen exciting potential to create stable green jobs and livelihoods,” Hall said. “We now need global leaders to recognize the potential for clean energy and regenerative solutions to drive fairer and more productive economies.”
Among the shortlisted organizations for the 2023 Ashden Awards include Aceleron in Kenya, which repurposes waste batteries into energy storage technology for homes, offices, and electric vehicles. Women in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship in Kenya empowers women in the renewable energy sector, including engineers, technicians, educators, students, and entrepreneurs.
Power For All in Uganda’s Utilities 2.0 Twaake project unites centralized and decentralized renewable energy companies to achieve faster and cheaper electrification, boost rural livelihoods, and end energy poverty.
There is ACRA in Senegal, which supports marginalized women in rural areas to launch solar-powered businesses. We Care Solar in Sierra Leone, which provides technical training and skills to install life-saving solar energy, powering Sierra Leone’s off-grid rural health centers, and, Burasolutions Solar Academy in Nigeria boosts skills and pathways to work for women and marginalized people, with support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Ashden Awards also include the Powering Refugees and Displaced People category, taking on the humanitarian energy crisis. Shortlisted USAFI Green in Kenya, manufactures and supplies affordable, low-carbon cookstoves in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, creating work and improving health for displaced people and host communities.
The Ashden Awards highlight the significant role that African organizations play in driving climate innovation—funding and investment in these solutions are crucial now more than ever, to meeting climate and development goals.
Other African organizations in the shortlist come from Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. All shortlisted projects and organizations are tackling key climate challenges.