When talking about African women disrupting the tech ecosystem, Ifeoma Malo’s name is certain to make the list.

As the co-founder of Clean Tech Hub and Energy Innovation Centre, she advocates decentralised and distributed renewables as the quickest way of achieving energy access in Nigeria.

As a proactive proponent of clean and renewable energy, Malo focuses on providing technical assistance to the government and the private sector to surmount challenges in the energy sector and advance energy access in Nigeria.

In an interview with ESI Africa, she revealed an exciting project she’s currently involved in- BudGIT for gender and MSME programs.

Through this platform, women-owned MSMEs and women agriculture smallholder farmers become important participants in the adoption of clean energy technologies to accelerate their businesses.

When asked to comment on her wish list for the electricity supply industry in this new decade, she disclosed her six ‘wishes” for the industry.

Increase in the power generation capacity across sub-Saharan Africa

Ifeoma Malo believes Africa needs more industrialization and this is achievable if the generation output meets the demands of production.

More renewable sources in the energy mix to reduce the current global energy mix

This achievable through several renewable energy options. In recent years, an increase in the adoption of solar and mini-grids across the world, even in sub-Saharan Africa has been existing.

This growing trend shows that many people are gradually becoming aware of renewable energy solutions in reducing climate change emissions.

Elimination of VAT and import duty exemption on solar and other renewable energy products

She believes that with the removal of value-added tax and import duty taxes levied on solar and other energy products, the prices become affordable to end-users.

Increase in energy access distribution into underserved communities through solar and mini-grid projects

Deliberate long-term investments into the power sector

To facilitate this, governments should make the sector more attractive to potential investors. This is achievable by de-risking the sector and offering bold incentives.

More participation of the private sector and civil society organisations during the formulation of energy policies

Improvements in the existing power infrastructures, particularly in the transmission and distribution sub-sectors in Nigeria

In this new decade, some issues around metering, collections, and distribution should be easily resolved efficiently and effectively.

Malo concluded by urging all from government to investors, developers, and civil society to understand that our communities would thrive if they were electrified.

“Our businesses and bottom lines would be better and the overall growth and development of Nigeria and that of Africa rests on designing and collectively defining an industry where everyone is playing a part to move things forward.”

Featured Image: Ifeoma Malo, Founder/CEO, Clean Tech Hub

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