Senegal - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Sen Power aims to distribute affordable and sustainable solar energy kits made from recycled materials to rural communities in Senegal that lack access to electricity. By repurposing used solar panels and batteries, we provide a cost-effective.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Sen Power aims to tackle the challenge of rural electrification in Senegal, where numerous communities endure energy poverty. Our innovative solution entails the provision of affordable and environmentally sustainable solar kits crafted from recycled materials, notably repurposed solar panels and batteries. By harnessing solar energy and storing it efficiently in recycled batteries, our kits offer a reliable and cost-effective means of addressing the lighting and charging requirements of off-grid villages. Our approach not only promotes environmental sustainability by repurposing discarded materials but also empowers rural communities by providing access to clean and renewable energy sources. With an estimated 4 million people lacking access to electricity in rural Senegal, our solution targets this underserved demographic, aiming to enhance their quality of life and socio-economic opportunities.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

the main problems we are trying to solve are: • High Upfront Costs: Many rural households cannot afford the initial investment in solar energy solutions. • Lack of Technical Knowledge: Villagers may lack the expertise to install and maintain solar systems. • Limited Distribution Channels: Rural areas are often hard to reach with traditional distribution methods.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Sen Power targets rural communities in Senegal lacking access to electricity, estimated at 4 million people. Our primary beneficiaries are the residents of these off-grid villages, particularly those facing energy poverty. By providing affordable and sustainable solar kits, crafted from recycled materials, we aim to empower these communities with clean and renewable energy solutions. Our focus is on addressing the immediate energy needs of households for lighting and charging electronic devices, thereby enhancing their quality of life and socio-economic opportunities. The solutions to the problems stated above we are trying to solve are : • Use recycled materials to lower production costs and offer microfinancing options to make solar kits affordable. • Provide comprehensive training programs for local technicians and continuous support. • Partner with local NGOs and community organizations to leverage existing networks for distribution.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

we are targeting people living in rural areas in Senegal who lack access to electricity.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

All team members are recently graduated, ready to dedicate full-time efforts to the project, and have experience living and working in Senegal. I, the CEO has also started a venture in agribusiness field and organic cosmetics products. • Fatou SARR: Specialized in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and climate change, with a deep understanding of energy infrastructure. • Amadou Barry: Expertise in green hydrogen, solar energy and risk management, ensuring the technical feasibility and safety of our solutions. • Souleymane Mbaye: Focused on green hydrogen, bio-energy and circular economy, driving innovation in our product development.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

we are propmoting local production and this enable more job creation in addition to job that are created in full time and part-time for selling the solar kits.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

by enabling access to electricity, we facilitate villagers work to do their farmin as well as earn more income . thus they can aford more food for living.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

most of them travel to nearby cities or villages that have access to electricity to charge their phone and some of them use lamps using petrolueum which emits harmful gases when burn. Meanwhile, our solar kits are carbon free and will improve well being in rural areas.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

in the villages we visited that lack access to electricity, students are strugling to review their lessons at night, making some of them drop school at early age. some parents also due to lack of electricity keep girls at home for looking for firewoods.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

we are promoting women to stay at school by enbling access to electricity. our project also include an academy for strenghning women and girls in energy and climate tpica.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

we provide affordable solar kits to imporve access to electricity in villages.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

we create decent job and promote youth and women employment.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

we are working on a circular economy by recycling solar panels, batteries of cars, phones and solar systems for more suistanable cities as well as improve access to energy infrastructure.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Access to electricity, education and health are human right and without electricity, its burden and somewhat impossible to access them.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our project create suistanabale cities by recycling and valorizing waste to enable access to electricity and create more decent jobs.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

We take into account the effect of climate change and product after usage that is why we promote waste valorization.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

We participate on climate action through many ways: we valorize waste, provide access to clean energy, build capacity on climate and energy.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

NA

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

soil erosion, drought and flood are caused by greenhouse gas emission and our project aim is to reduce them.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

we enable peace thorugh entrepreneurship, job creation and education.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

We will partner with the compagny working on waste management as well as environmental organization.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Sen Power stands at the forefront of innovation in the energy sector. Unlike existing products or services, our solar kits made from recycled materials present a novel approach to addressing energy poverty in rural areas. This innovative solution combines sustainability with affordability, filling a gap in the market for clean energy solutions tailored to underserved communities. By repurposing discarded materials, we introduce a new technology that revolutionizes the traditional model of energy provision. Our product responds directly to the unmet demand for accessible and eco-friendly energy solutions, marking a significant advancement in the renewable energy landscape.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main competitors in Senegal are TAKOUSSANE ENERGY, TOP ENERGIE SOLAIRE, and Techvert. Indirect competitors encompass traditional energy suppliers like SENELEC and diesel generator sellers. who provide mini solar grid systems to households. Sen Power uniquely focuses on creating solar kits from recycled materials, reducing production costs and environmental impact. We emphasize local assembly and training, ensuring sustainability and job creation. Our affordable solar kits, supported by microfinancing options, make renewable energy accessible to rural households. Partnering with local NGOs and community organizations, we tailor our solutions to the specific needs of Senegalese rural areas, fostering trust and engagement.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, I As a social entrepreneur, I am the co-founder and CEO of two impactful ventures: the Opportunities Path to Success online platform and FA BIO COSMETICS. The Opportunities Path to Success platform directly addresses the pressing issue of youth unemployment and educational access by providing a gateway to learning resources and employment opportunities. Through FA BIO COSMETICS, we engage organic farming of medicinal plants in agribusiness, utilizing organic products to promote health and sustainability. Our handmade organic cosmetics, including hair creams and beard oils, offer a natural alternative to chemical-laden products, supporting local organic farming initiatives and creating employment for seven individuals in Senegal. In addition to my entrepreneurial endeavors, my advocacy and activism in Internet governance, including projects focused on Internet of Things security and capacity-building, highlight my commitment to fostering digital inclusion and security.