Decorative
Report

Electricity Access in Africa: Why a Green Energy Innovation Competition?

A smiling tan-skinned woman named Glorimar Aragon with long black hair, wearing a black blazer with a black shirt and glasses, and standing in a room with dark wood details.

Glorimar Aragon

Associate Director, Environmental and Social Innovation team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Glorimar Aragon is an associate director on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. In her role, Aragon advises individual philanthropists and philanthropic families on opportunities where capital can make the most significant impact.
A smiling light-skinned woman named Sarah ElShafie with shoulder-length brunette hair, wearing a black sweater with a long red necklace, and standing in a room with dark wood details.

Sara ElShafie, PhD

Senior Associate, Environmental and Social Innovation team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Sara ElShafie, PhD, is a senior associate on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy. Serving its Social Innovation portfolio as a global climate specialist, ElShafie helps to build climate and environmental philanthropic initiatives.
A smiling light-skinned woman named Emily Musil with long brunette hair, wearing a green blazer, and standing in a room with dark wood details.

Emily Musil, PhD

Managing Director, Environmental and Social Innovation team, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Emily Musil, PhD, is a managing director on the Environmental and Social Innovation team at Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy, where she leads the Environment and Social Innovation portfolio. She also leads innovation competitions for Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy.
Topics
Environmental Impact
Energy
Technology and Innovation
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Key Takeaways

  • Investing in green energy systems will accelerate progress toward UN SDG 7, providing crucial resources for economic and social development.

  • By focusing on off-grid electricity, the competition encourages infrastructure that can increase access to electricity, particularly in rural areas.

  • Intentional design elements of the competition allow for new, creative ideas from anywhere in the world to succeed and scale.

  • Using technology to verify entries generates meaningful data from all teams consistently and equitably.

This report explores the challenges and opportunities surrounding accessible energy in Africa, emphasizing sustainable solutions that drive progress and prosperity. 

Why It Matters

In Africa, reliable electricity access is essential for economic and social advancement. However, over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity access, hindering development.

About the Prize

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy leads the charge in innovation by catalyzing investments in sustainable energy solutions. This initiative is crucial for addressing energy poverty and mitigating climate change. Our unique competition structure welcomes diverse ideas, ensuring that the most creative solutions thrive and expand. Leveraging technology to verify entries, we generate valuable insights to propel meaningful change.

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