Decorative
Report

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

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Glorimar Aragon

Associate Director, Environmental and Social Innovation, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Glorimar Aragon is an associate director with Milken Institute Philanthropy. In her role, she focuses on social impact philanthropy, designing and operating innovation competitions, and advising on philanthropic strategies. Working on a range of issue areas from green energy technology to economic mobility, Aragon uses an equity lens to inform her work.
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Sara ElShafie

Senior Associate, Environmental and Social Innovation, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Sara ElShafie, PhD, is a senior associate in the philanthropic pillar of the Milken Institute. Serving its Social Innovation portfolio as a global climate specialist, ElShafie helps to build climate and environmental philanthropic initiatives.
A smiling light-skinned female with brown hair wearing a yellow blazer over a patterned shirt against an ambiguous background

Emily Musil

Senior Director, Environmental and Social Innovation, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Emily Musil, PhD, is a senior director at the Milken Institute, where she leads the Institute's Environment and Social Equity Philanthropy portfolio. She also leads innovation competitions for the Milken Institute.
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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