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Building networks for better energy access

Facts, challenges & objectives

In rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, a challenge to adopting and installing renewable energy solutions is the need for networking and partnering for:

  • Improved communication between stakeholders
  • More knowledge of used technologies
  • Better maintenance and use of quality technologies
  • A greater local skillset for maintaining systems
  • Evaluating local demand for energy

Green People’s Energy for Africa brings people, businesses, institutions and organisations together to build networks and partnerships. The aim is for German or European and African stakeholders to cooperate on exchanging knowledge, information and technology. On an equal footing and for the long term.

Bringing productive technologies and renewable energy solutions to off-grid, rural communities requires knowledge sharing. The Green People’s Energy for Africa intiative creates opportunites for exchanges by:

  • Sharing knowledge and experience between German and African actors on best practices and implementation
  • Cooperating to train trainers and develop training plans
  • Partnering for professional exchanges, including
    • Alumni-network for African experts
    • Existing networks for new cooperation
    • Measures as part of city partnerships
    • Direct cooperation with German institutions and projects
  • Beacon co-operations for similar partnerships, including
    • Agricultural stakeholder partnerships
    • The private sector donating to build electrical systems

Articles on networking activities

DebateSDG 7

“Greater cooperation is what we want.”

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Ghana’s UENR and University of Oldenburg partnered in 2022 and talk about what makes for good partners.
FeatureSDG 7

“We are in new territory here” – Financing municipal climate projects with emission certificates

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How a partnership for emission certificates helps investments and carbon offsets.
FeatureSDG 7

From Bavaria to Africa 

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In the village of Wildpoldsried, 4,000 African PV technicians have received qualifications.
FeatureSDG 7

Mini-grids for productive use in Namibia and Uganda

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The role of mini-grids and tariffs and how they are perceived differently.
NewsSDG 7

Study trip to Intersolar Europe as culmination of Namibian-German association partnership

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The partnership between Namibian association REIAoN and German BSW concludes successfully.
NewsSDG 7

Energy transition in Africa: Putting people in the driver’s seat – BETD 2023 Partner Event

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On 27 March, the BMZ invited stakeholders in Berlin to discuss decentralized renewable energy in Africa.
News

BETD23 Partner Event Agenda – Decentralised Renewable Energy in Africa

See the agenda for the BETD 2023 Partner Event in Berlin.
NewsSDG 7

Scaling Decentralized Renewable Energy – Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF)

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Green People’s Energy for Africa (GBE) will be participating in two sessions at the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF), organized by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE). The event will take place from March 21 – 23 at the Radisson Blue Hotel, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. EAIF is the top annual business and…
ProfileSDG 17

German Namibian partnership to develop industry association

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Germany’s BSW supports partner REIAoN in organisation and membership recruitment
ProfileSDG 4

Conducting fundamental research to pave the way for solar mini-grids

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Integration of decentralized photovoltaic systems for implementing digital learning models in rural areas of Uganda
FeatureSDG 7

Electrification Day: Stakeholders discuss new solutions to accelerate electrification.

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Together with the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Green People´s Energy (GBE) organized Namibia’s first Electrification Day. The goal and purpose of this prestigious event was to bring together different national and international experts and stakeholders to discuss rural electrification. Student Oli…
FeatureSDG 17

Remote monitoring makes solar systems more durable

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Without regular maintenance, up to 70 percent of solar systems in health centres fail in the long term. Therefore, it makes sense to maintain the systems regularly. Data analysis via remote monitoring could be a cost-effective option for this and help to plan solar plants based on facts in the future.  To this …
NewsSDG 17

Campaign to raise awareness around solar energy in Namibia launches

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Renewable energies can help develop rural areas. That is why the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibian (REIAoN) wants to increase awareness of the opportunities offered by solar energy. With an awareness campaign over the radio and roadshows, the association wants to inform about possible technologies an…
NewsSDG 17

German solar industry supports Namibian association

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Within the framework of an intensive association partnership between the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) and the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN), targeted capacity building for the interest group in the South African country is to take place in the coming months. The focus of the pr…
ProfileSDG 17

Public-private partnerships and CO2 financing strengthen electrification of municipalities 

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Sustainable financing mechanisms provide Beninese communities with additional access to clean energy.
ProfileSDG 17

Foundation promotes solar technologies for farmers 

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The “Maa Green Energy” project aims to kick-start the local market for solar products
ProfileSDG 13

What is the CO2 reduction potential of e-mobility? 

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Measuring CO2 savings to pave the way for e-mobility in Uganda.
ProfileSDG 4

Technician network extends life cycles of solar lights 

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Repairing solar lights opens up a new, sustainable business for local technicians in Zambia
NewsSDG 17

Ethiopia sets new milestone for introducing cooperative mini-grids in rural areas

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Representatives from Ethiopia’s energy, cooperative, finance and private sectors set a milestone with the Green People’s Energy initiative to enable cooperatives to establish and run mini-grids. Guidelines for for developing cooperative-based mini-grid projects are now available.
ProfileSDG 4

An app brings together solar technicians and operators in rural areas

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The Tukole Solar Project aims to improve the maintenance of solar systems in rural areas and make it easier for customers and solar technicians to meet.
FeatureSDG 17

Knowledge hub for renewable energy online in Mozambique

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Together with energypedia, Green People’s Energy (GBE) launched the Mozambique Off-grid Knowledge Hub. The site provides information on solar energy, clean cookstoves, nano- and mini-grids and on productive use of renewable energy.
NewsSDG 17

Partnering with FIN’Elle accelerating spread of green energy

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In Cȏte d’Ivoire, microfinance provider FIN’Elle is now partnering with Germany’s Green People’s Energy (GBE) initiative. Together they are working to strengthen women and female entrepreneurship. FIN’Elle specialises in women-led organisations and businesses.
NewsSDG 7

Green People’s Energy live at European Development Days – How to maximize the impact of energy access

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Bärbel Höhn (BMZ) joining Dr. Willington Ortiz (Wuppertal Institute) and Silvia Sartori (Energia) at the European Development Days 21st June in Brussels.
NewsSDG 17

Green People’s Energy working with Odyssey tech on results-based financing in Côte d’Ivoire

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Thanks to Odyssey’s digital technologies for distributed energy financing, GBE can now manage its data-driven and streamlined results-based funding schemes more effectively.
FeatureSDG 17

Network meetings – When makers exchange ideas

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In its projects, Germany’s Green People’s Energy (GBE) programme relies on a lively exchange of experience between African and German partners. At the end of May, the GBE organised a network meeting with its German partners, with over 30 participants discussing energy cooperatives, education programmes and how they …
NewsSDG 17

Join the Alumni-Network!

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Become part of the Alumni-Network and apply by 11 March.
FeatureSDG 17

Berlin and Windhoek: renewable energy for hospitals and schools

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The partnership will put special focus on remote settlement areas with lacking access to elementary infrastructures.
NewsSDG 17

Green People’s Energy supports three more partnerships

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Three new partners for sustainable energy supply and knowledge transfer
NewsSDG 3

Student cooperative takes off

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Twelve experimental kits specially developed by the student cooperative are on their way to the primary school in Ntarama.
FeatureSDG 17

Business Field Renewable Energies – Alumni Network supports young Africans

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The more people who get involved in ANSAP, the more valuable the network becomes for its members.
NewsSDG 17

Green People’s Energy supports four partnerships

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Three organisations – four partners – one idea: improving the lives of local people with the help of renewable energies.
SDG 3

S4H Project: Solar energy for better health care

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Thanks to solar power, three health centers can adequately store medicines, sterilize equipment, and better care for pregnant women and newborns.
FeatureSDG 7

GBE Uganda collaborates with GIZ ProEnergie to bring Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) Training to Togo

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The manuals and the corresponding training sessions aim to improve the capacity of end-users, such as farmers and members of agro-cooperatives, as well as technicians.
FeatureSDG 17

FIKA 2021 – International Fair for Business and Information

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GBE invites interested parties to visit the FIKA 2021 from the 28th October to the 14th November 2021 in Kaolack.
NewsSDG 7

Interview with the BMZ Special Representatives for Energy in Africa

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In the interview, Josef Göppel and Bärbel Höhn talk about their voluntary engagement and the GBE initiative.
NewsSDG 17

Announcements to commercial companies in the solar energy sector

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The GBE project is looking for companies with solar equipment and suitable business models to provide sustainable energy services to the targeted social infrastructure.
FeatureSDG 17

Green People‘s Energy promotes Energy Camp East Africa

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Each winning start-up received a prize of 2,500 € for their innovative and well-developed business plan.
NewsSDG 7

Formation institutes for experts in solar irrigation

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The training combines theoretical and practical aspects that enable us to better meet farmers’ needs.
NewsSDG 7

GBE on air – funding for renewable energies, alumni network, and general challenges

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The Podcast “Wishes Granted” invited Elina and Caspar to talk about the GBE programme.
FeatureSDG 17

Framework set for sustainable bioenergy in Côte d’Ivoire

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With 1,200 million tonnes of biomass annually, Côte d’Ivoire has excellent potential for bioenergy production.
FeatureSDG 17

Launch of energy advisory support for cooperatives

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The 99th International Day of Cooperatives on the 3rd of July 2021 was held under the global theme “Rebuild Better Together”.
NewsSDG 7

Registration open for second GBE-ARE webinar

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The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and Green People’s Energy have the pleasure to invite you to participate in the webinar on “Stimulating Demand for Productive Use of Renewable Energy Solutions in Local Communities” at 14.00-15.30 CEST on 7 July 2021.
NewsSDG 17

Call for promoting Renewable Energies in Africa

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We are looking for European actors in the energy transition such as municipalities, educational institutions, cooperatives, non-governmental organisations, associations, or companies.
NewsSDG 7

Energy connects – launch of GBE-ARE web seminar series

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On 20 April 2021, the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and Green People’s Energy (GBE) launched their web seminar series “Paving the way for Clean Energy Transition with Decentralised Renewable Energy (PWCET) ” at the digital EU-Africa Business Forum. The first of in total 10 events had more than 200 partici…
FeatureSDG 7

34 banana and agricultural producers exchanged ideas on solar irrigation and sustainable processing possibilities

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GBE Senegal discussed with the participants the advantages of solar irrigation systems for banana and other agricultural cultivation methods. The workshop also became interactive through matchmaking with other market actors, such as financial institutions.
NewsSDG 7

Toolkit presented at international expert forum for rural electrification

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At the Alliance for Rural Electrification’s (ARE) 6th Energy Access Investor Forum, GBE Zambia took part in the presentation of a new toolkit for renewable energy associations and answered numerous questions around association formation.
FeatureSDG 17

Networking – Sharing Information and Knowledge is the Key to Success

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Innovative platform brings renewable energy students and specialists from across Africa together, after attending course on the subject in Germany
NewsSDG 5

GBE supports, in collaboration with ENDA Energie, the solar electrification of women-led rural dairy micro-enterprisess

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GBE supports the solar electrification of 24 mainly women-led dairy micro-enterprises in rural Senegal, thereby adding value to milk production, and reducing production waste for 200 farmers.
NewsSDG 7

Five local organisations recently started implementation of their project ideas

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Five public benefit organisations are funded in their approaches to improve the local energy situation. The projects range from a solar-powered eye care center, over the training of solar technicians to a radio station stabilizing the electricity grid.
ProfileSDG 7

Solar Cooperative – Growing Faster Together

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Ugandan solar companies organise themselves in a cooperative to benefit from each other.