Innovators from Africa are leading in shortlists for Ashden Awards for cutting-edge climate solutions this year
Ashden is a UK-based charity, which provides business support to start-ups and other organisations working in the climate solutions sector. 75% of the organisations shortlisted for this year’s awards from the Global South are from Africa, it said.
These companies provide various services such as bringing clean energy to two million people in Nigeria, and raising the incomes of rainforest communities in Cameroon. Other African organisations in the shortlist come from Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria and Uganda.
Key climate issues are being addressed by all organisations and projects that made the shortlist, such as creating an equitable society and reduced emissions. This autumn will see the announcement of the winning organisations, as determined by a panel of judges. Winners will gain from a monetary award, visibility, and new connections with financiers, funders, and policymakers.
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 organisations. Their work proves we can successfully tackle climate change alongside the world’s other great challenges – like gender inequality, poverty, and the marginalisation of refugees, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups.
“Africa faces the world’s greatest energy poverty challenge, but is also home to many pioneering solutions. In fact, 75% of organisations featured in our international shortlists come from the continent."
Some of the organisations selected for the award are Aceleron, which repurposes waste batteries; Beacon Power Services, which offers grid management software; Husk Power, which is building 500 clean energy microgrids; and We Care Solar, which provides women with training in solar energy, among others.
