Tech Hub advocates for Green Energy, Empowers Female Entrepreneurs

A Nigerian based energy innovation center, The Clean Technology Hub, has called for a shift in focus towards harnessing the nation’s renewable energy sources.

The Chief Executive Officer of Clean Technology Hub, Ms. Ifeoma Malo while addressing Journalists during a roundtable discussion in Abuja, Nigeria, said urgent action is needed to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and harness renewable energy sources.

She said off-grid energy, especially solar energy, is a viable alternative for Nigerians amid the recent electricity tariff hike.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had in April 2024 approved a 240 percent electricity tariff hike for customers on band A feeders, getting at least 20 hours of power supply.

She decried the challenges that citizens and residents are facing as a result of the hike in tariff, highlighting the significant energy challenges millions of Nigerians still face.

According to a report in 2022, at least 600 million people did not have access to electricity, and 970 million lacked access to clean energy for cooking.

In view of this, Malo said the Hub has partnered with the Federal Government of Nigeria and subnationals to develop Renewable Energy Policy documents.

“The recent electricity tariff hike has created parity between grid and renewable electricity. A friend said he spent N9,000,000 to migrate to solar energy completely.

“Our office building is completely solarized. There are a lot of business modules that have made solar energy affordable alternatives.

“We work with the industry, Renewable Energy Association, Mini-grid Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Alliance of Renewable Energy, and other key players to make solar energy affordable for Nigerians.

“With what is happening in Nigeria now, going renewable energy makes a lot of sense”, she stated.

The CEO underscored the importance of natural gas which should be crucial to Nigeria’s diversified energy source for a secure energy supply for industries and residences.

Ms Malo also disclosed that the company in its efforts to support the federal government is creating job opportunities and stimulating economic activities at the grassroots level through a robust network of profitable solar stations across the country.

For this reason, She noted that the hub is organizing Cohorts to empower women entrepreneurs Titled “She Sustains” where $200,000 will be spread amongst the winners.

She explained that “We looked at the entrepreneurs in the green technology space and we realized that they are mostly men. But we believe that there are women entrepreneurs out there, so we decided to organize cohorts where females will be trained and they will pitch their business ideas”

With the help of Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF) Accelerator Program, USAID and 2X Global, we have secured a $200,000 grant to support Women Entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

We are organizing three cohorts, one is currently ongoing with 81 participants where 19 winners will emerge and the second will come up in July this year”Ms Malo disclosed .

She added that Clean Technology Hub is at the forefront of driving sustainable change through research, development, and incubation of clean technologies.

Clean Technology Hub, with its office in Abuja, is a pioneering hybrid hub for the research, development, demonstration and incubation of clean energy ideas, technologies, and resources for clean energy organizations and environment and climate friendly initiatives across Africa.