Realizing how promising a strong linkage between Nigeria’s burgeoning renewable energy and highly enterprising tech sector would be for the country’s tottering but highly profitable electricity industry, a firm, Clean Technology Hub has initiated a platform for both ecosystems to jointly leverage their potentials.
Christened ‘TechMeetsRE’, Clean Technology Hub, said at the inaugural sessions of the innovative platform in Lagos, that the project would work in three parts to connect local tech and renewable energy ecosystems to build local partnerships for increased energy access in Nigeria.
It would also on another part advance the use of local talent and local technology services companies in the growth and acceleration of the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector, and as well enable the Nigerian tech ecosystem explore business opportunities for immediate adaption into accelerating the renewable energy sector.
Known as a pioneering hybrid hub for research, development, demonstration and incubation of clean technologies ideas for increased energy access and climate resilience, Clean Technology Hub explained that its launch of ‘TechMeetsRE’ would enable the Nigerian technology industry identify opportunities for technology solutions in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
It stated that at the kickoff in Lagos, key stakeholders in the renewable energy and technology sectors were assembled to explore the applicability of local home-grown technology solutions within the renewable energy and clean technology value chain.
According to it, the Lagos workshop was designed as to be the initialization, ideation and dialogue stage of the project, and it provided an opportunity for the tech and renewable ecosystems to network and build the ground work for the new collaboration.
It further noted that the workshop featured panel sessions on the opportunities and challenges of technology solutions in Nigeria’s renewable energy industry, adding that it was supported by The Global Greengrants Fund, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Sterling Bank.
Speaking on the development, chief executive officer of Clean Technology Hub, Ifeoma Malo said: “As our renewable energy sector grows faster, we see numerous opportunities for our local tech sector as well to develop solutions on the back of renewable energy products and services that will make energy access easier and affordable.”
“Our interest is in catalyzing innovation within Nigeria’s tech sector in connection to renewable energy,” Malo added.
According to the firm, a hackathon in the third quarter of 2019 where winning ideas will be provided support through incubation and acceleration to bring the ideas to the market, would be the next phase of the project.
Providing an insight on why its decision to create the platform, the firm which has its central hub situated in Abuja as well as virtual hubs spread across the country, said it is driven by research and policy development; community engagement and awareness-raising; as well as incubation of clean technologies for increasing energy access and achieving climate resilience.
