Entrepreneurs as drivers of economic growth and agents of social dynamics in electrified areas
Based on its experience in developing productive energy uses (PUE) and Electrified Business Areas (EBA) in Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso, Geres is now partnering with off-grid electrification operators to promote the connection of entrepreneurs to their energy infrastructures. By stimulating energy demand through the development of PUE, Geres is promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth based on local production and processing of products. It also enables developers to improve the profitability of their mini-grids sites and thus the technical and economic viability of their infrastructures, as well as better meet the needs of local communities.
In Benin, Geres is working with Aress and One Power with the aim of promoting low-carbon development through access to energy and energy efficiency for entrepreneurs. By facilitating access to quality productive equipment through innovative financial mechanisms and by strengthening the capacities of local stakeholders, Geres is enabling inclusive economic and social development. Nearly 50 entrepreneurs have already switched from thermal energy sources to solar electricity, mitigating the climate impacts of development.
The Energy 4 Business project in Sierra Leone
With more than 25 years of experience in energy access, Geres is currently working to expand its operations in Sierra Leone with local mini-grids operators, pursuing three objectives:
- Support the selection and acquisition of productive and energy-efficient equipment essential to the development of local value chains (preservation, agricultural processing, services and crafts).
- Facilitate access to entrepreneurial support services for high-potential entrepreneurs for the productive and rational use of renewable energy in order to stimulate and sustain local economic activity.
- Strengthen access to finance, in collaboration with financial institutions, to support the growth of economic activities and investment.
By securing income, jobs and skills locally through training and the development of a pool of qualified human resources, the project increases the economic attractiveness of the target areas by promoting the availability of new services and improving local resilience and autonomy.
International scale-up in Africa
Finally, in order to better meet the financing needs of the various stakeholders (entrepreneurs, mini-grid operators, suppliers of productive equipment, etc.), Geres has joined forces with ARE Member ADA. Together, the two organisations aim to scale up a global programme to support PUE in Africa. Currently exploring geographical expansion and fundraising opportunities, Geres and ADA are seeking technical and financial partners to promote the sustainable adoption of decentralised electrification solutions for PUE.