Driving knowledge and market development in Africa
Africa is facing a major energy transition. The Swedish Energy Agency is contributing by both strengthening local expertise and giving Swedish companies the opportunity to position themselves in a rapidly growing market.
One of several study visits during the Africa trip was to the Ngorongo Tea Factory in Kenya. Photo: UNIDO
The demand for energy‑efficient technology, renewable energy and smart systems is increasing rapidly in Africa, while the impacts of climate change, primarily in the form of drought, are becoming ever more evident in the region. East Africa, with Kenya at the forefront, is also one of the world’s fastest‑growing markets, yet often remains largely unexplored by Swedish companies.
Thanks to a strategic collaboration between Sida, the Swedish Energy Agency and UNIDO, a number of Swedish companies recently had a unique opportunity to visit Kenya and connect with potential customers, partners and decision‑makers in a region undergoing a major energy transition. The delegation trip was carried out within the framework of the programme Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (EELA).
“The EELA program lays the groundwork for market development, knowledge exchange and financing that can open doors to long-term business opportunities in the region,” says Helena Bernland, Business Developer at the Swedish Energy Agency.
Launch of the Industrial Cleantech Platform
In connection with the launch of EELA’s Industrial Cleantech Platform, the Swedish companies Againity, Atlas Copco and Infrasonik were invited to present their solutions and network with stakeholders from the tea industry. The platform serves as a consolidated solution to enable technical knowledge transfer and stimulate sustainable investments in energy efficient methods within Kenya’s tea industry. Tea is the country’s most important export product, but production—particularly the drying process—is highly energy intensive as it relies on large quantities of eucalyptus wood as fuel.
The week also included study visits to Ngorongo Tea Factory and a meeting with Tetra Pak regarding potential collaborations within the food sector.
Capacity building training in Mozambique
In addition to market development, the Swedish Energy Agency also enable capacity building within EELA to achieve more efficient energy use in the region. Recently, technical experts and laboratory staff from several African regions gathered for a two day training course on measuring and testing lighting products, delivered by the Swedish Energy Agency at the standards institute INNOQ in Maputo, Mozambique.
“When the quality of laboratory work improves, market surveillance becomes more effective. And that is crucial for ensuring that energy efficient and high quality lighting products reach the market, while inefficient or substandard products are filtered out,” says Hans Arvidsson, Product Manager for Lighting and one of two trainers from the Swedish Energy Agency.
INNOQ in Maputo.
Background: EELA
The EELA programme is run by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by Sida. It combines technical expertise, capacity development and market support to create long‑term impact—both for local communities and for Swedish companies looking to establish themselves on the continent.
