In a groundbreaking effort to foster climate resilience and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, several companies and initiatives are receiving support to bring renewable energy solutions to diverse sectors. With funding from the IKEA Foundation and UK aid through the Transforming Energy Access platform, managed by the Carbon Trust and Mercy Corps Energy 4 Impact, the PREO (Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities) initiative is empowering businesses to integrate clean energy technologies in innovative ways.

In Kenya, Chaji is installing fast EV chargers in commercial centers, while also developing financing options for electric three-wheelers in Nairobi and Mombasa. Meanwhile, Drop Access is bringing its solar-powered cooling service, VacciBox, to health facilities to improve vaccine storage and reduce waste, increasing immunization rates.

Nigeria has also emerged as a hotbed for clean energy innovation. Hinckley E-Waste is developing second-life batteries to power telecom towers, reducing reliance on diesel generators. Similarly, ICEolar is providing rooftop solar solutions to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through subscription models, while training local youth in solar installation and maintenance.

Companies like Acele Africa are repurposing 125,000 discarded lithium cells into second-life batteries for solar applications, and Ecobora is transforming schools with solar-powered cooking boilers, replacing firewood with clean energy alternatives under a "Cooking-as-a-Service" model. Additionally, Strathmore University is working with its spin-out company Evonet to validate Sunsafe, a mobile app aimed at improving solar system sizing for rural regions.

In Ethiopia, Inter Ethiopia Solutions is enhancing access to renewable energy and refurbishing electronic equipment, while Mazi Mobility is exploring battery swapping stations as a business model for Africa's growing e-mobility sector.

The goal of these initiatives is not only to scale the use of renewable energy but also to create jobs and improve livelihoods in the region. "With this latest round, PREO reaffirms its role as the only dedicated platform for testing business models that focus on the productive use of renewable energy," said Richa Goyal, Programme Manager at the IKEA Foundation.

As renewable energy continues to gain traction, the potential for these innovations to transform industries, drive income, and reduce dependency on fossil fuels is enormous, according to Rhiannon Turner, PREO Programme Lead at the Carbon Trust. With efforts such as these, the future of clean energy in sub-Saharan Africa looks brighter than ever.