Africa’s clean energy pioneers will be at the forefront this year Ashden Prize – a prestigious international award that travels the world for the most innovative initiatives implementing clean and accessible natural energy and climate solutions. And this year, the awards ceremony is being held for the first time in its 21-year history in Nairobi as well as London.
Africa is once again in a strong position, with four of the six Global South finalist organizations based in Africa.
The 2022 Ashden Awards ceremony in Nairobi will bring to life the stories and solutions of organizations creating the work of the future, including those of African innovators building green skills across the continent.
The October 27 ceremony, bringing together environmental entrepreneurs, policymakers and climate experts, is being held ahead of the COP27 international climate summit (November 7-17 in Egypt) to demonstrate low-carbon solutions.
Kenyan environmentalist Wanjira Mathai will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include Jane Kimani, Director of East Africa Operations andyou Angaza who won a Ashden Prize in 2018 for his exemplary work in energy access and financing climate solutions; Amer Alkayed Global Refugee-Led Network Steering Committee Member; Julius Court, British Deputy High Commissioner; and Pamela Sittoni of the Nation Media Group.
The eight global finalists from the South compete to win prizes in categories related to improving the training and number of skilled workers in the energy access sector, including in agriculture and the humanitarian contexts. There is also a category focused on natural climate solutions in rainforest environments. Projects have been selected to provide innovative and scalable climate solutions and inspire the journey to zero carbon.
“Clean energy has the potential to create 14 million jobs in Africa alone by 2030,” says Ashden CEO Harriet Lamb. “But only if we urgently build skills and support for these roles – from sales agents in Togo to solar technicians in Zimbabwe. It is incredibly exciting to see African entrepreneurs again leading the way in this booming sector. that underpins so many livelihoods.
Ceremony attendees will hear about organizations supporting refugees and farming communities, tackling gender inequality and creating new opportunities for young people.
The awards night will share the stories of these trailblazers with thought-provoking talks and powerful films, and explore how they – and others like them – can receive support to reach their full potential.
“More than half a billion people in Africa still do not have access to electricity. Yet the solutions exist. We will bring the inspiring stories of the winners, celebrated in Nairobi, to COP27 in Egypt and urgently call on governments to support – and fund – such initiatives in order to unlock opportunities and address climate injustices at the pace needed. Lamb added.
The four African finalists for the Ashden Prize are:
Kakuma Ventures, Kenya, creating clean energy, internet connections and new jobs for residents of refugee camps,
SokoFresh, Kenya, by providing sustainable cold storage for smallholders coupled with marketing of produce,
Energy generationTogo, an innovative training center that enables entrepreneurs to create solutions for Africans by Africans – creating opportunities for women,
Zonal energy, Zimbabwe, providing training in the solar sector to rural youth, through collaboration with colleges and NGOs, alongside employment links.
Other finalists from India, Peru and Indonesia will also be celebrated at the ceremony and the winners will be announced, with films from each winning organization premiering.
The winners will then attend the global Ashden Awards ceremony in London on November 2, joining those vying for three UK awards. The awards ceremony in London will showcase the work of each of the winning organisations.
Harriet Lamb, continued: “We are at a defining moment in history. We know we will transition to a low carbon society. The question is whether we will do it in time. That’s why we highlight these pioneering solutions that are expected to evolve and spread; and that is why, as part of the Power Up Coalition campaign, we are calling on COP27 to direct funding towards energy access and thereby fuel a thriving green economy.
To see all of this year’s winners, register online for the global Ashden Awards ceremony on November 2: Ashden Awards 2022 Ceremony in London + Live Online Viewing – Ashden
