The first-ever “SESA Call for Entrepreneurs” has now been launched. This call by Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) is a consortium project searching for small startups or enterprises in its startup stage. The eligible enterprises that come for this should be environmentally friendly and, most importantly, they should be owned by women.
Since access to dependable, affordable, and sustainable electricity has proved difficult for rural African populations, the SESA project, which the European Commission supports, aims to test, validate, and replicate creative approaches and business models to accelerate the green transition throughout Africa.
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The SESA is not the only organization that will be doing this, as Siemens Stiftung is also a consortium partner and will offer selected entrepreneurs money ranging from EUR50,000 (US$49,000) to EUR70,000 (US$69,000) per business over an 18-month term, as well as the chance to participate in the SESA Incubator Program.
“The call leverages social entrepreneurs’ talents, skills, and innovations to not only address climate change but also pave the way for social and economic development in rural areas,” said Dr. Nina Smidt, managing director of Siemens Stiftung.
“Women are at the heart of this transformation. Supporting female-led enterprises enables the inclusion of vulnerable groups in climate change, accelerating the realization of the United Nations’ Sustainable development goals. “”
Do not confuse the dates of the “Call for Entrepreneurs” program for the SESA Incubator Program. This is because the date for the “Call for Entrepreneurs” program has started and will last until the 20th of November 2022. As for the SESA Incubator Program, note that it will begin next year, by February 2023, to be precise.
The Goal of SESA
SESA claims its goal is to offer easily repeatable energy access technologies and business models. Additionally, they want to create regional opportunities for African social cohesion and economic development.
Morocco, a country that has benefitted from programs like the SESA Project, was recently ranked second in North Africa, making it one of the areas where there’s rapid social and economic development. Apart from SESA, programs like Orange Corners and MolenGeek have made the nation now become a location for incubator programs.