Background of the Program
Africa’s share of global emissions has been relatively limited to date, comprising 2% of the world’s total. Yet it is one of the region’s most negatively affected by climate change through the increased prevalence of extreme weather events and direct consequences related to food security and livelihoods. As a result, there is a growing consensus to support countries across the region to reduce the reliance on high-pollution industries associated with economic development and instead adopt renewable sources and promote an energy transition in line with goals for low-carbon growth.
Climate technologies are increasingly being seen as a way to support this transition. ‘Climate tech’ and ‘cleantech’ indicate technology-driven solutions that contribute to the reduction of emissions or address the negative effects of climate change on people and the planet. They refer to energy generating innovations and are inclusive of solutions related to the circular economy, such as waste management, recycling, and smart living, as well as products cutting across different industries.
Undoubtedly, one of the fastest-growing areas of climate tech is renewable and solar-powered electrification, targeting approximately half of the population in sub-Saharan Africa that still lacks access to electricity. Another prominent area of innovation is agricultural solutions, where digital and technology-driven ventures are helping digitalise food value chains, improve productivity, strengthen sustainable practices, decrease postharvest losses, and increase food security across the continent.
Why The Cleantech Program
Cleantech stands to provide significant relief to shortages in energy, water, and other natural resources.
Cleantech also provides a solution for both developed and developing countries to address pressing concerns like greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, resource scarcity and pollution.
Cleantech is essential to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and is a necessary component of the economy if we want to distance ourselves from using fossil fuels.
Sustainable economy is not only necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change but presents a wealth of opportunities for business and society.
Brite Cleantech And Innovation Program
Climate-focused start-up teams in Cameroon face distinct challenges and barriers when it comes to scaling their impact. This is no exception for Africa where climate tech start-ups receive less than one per cent of global venture investments. Not only do early-stage ventures in this field lack adequate entrepreneurial skills and access to finance, but the networks and ecosystems they operate in also have critical gaps between innovators and the wider industry.
The Brite Cleantech and Innovation Program seeks to promote and drive innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It also seeks to accelerate the application of research and development, through technology and linkages with the private sector, to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Social innovators and entrepreneurs are expected to play a crucial role in the implementation of the 2030 SDGs in the medium term and entrepreneurs of tomorrow are required to use new models to achieve results and scale their services, including public-private partnerships. Throughout this program, participants will be supported in the development of specific projects for investment.
Programme Pillars
- Educate – Learn key trends, solutions, and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable future.
- Evaluate – Understand sustainability needs and opportunities for growth through sustainability
- Execute – Start implementing the sustainable solutions, and plan for future growth leveraging clear sustainable actions
The Brite Cleantech and Innovation Program prepares entrepreneurs to become leaders in sustainable social innovation endeavours by fostering:
- Innovation for sustainable development
- Leadership, collective intelligence, and creativity
- Social business, finance, and impact evaluation
- Developing innovation and businesses
- Enhancing the quality of entrepreneurial education
What we do in the BRITE CLEANTECH AND INNOVATION PROGRAM
- Helping Cameroon’s leading entrepreneurs tackle the climate crisis.
- A mission-driven climate consultancy providing expert guidance to businesses, governments, and organisations on their route to net zero emissions.
- Transaction advisor and consulting partner delivering innovative financing solutions for sustainable energy in emerging markets.
- Supports bottom-up innovation through offering events, co-working, event space, consultancy, and innovation programmes.
- An early-stage venture capital firm and accelerator supporting impact-driven start-ups that are solving global challenges
- Is a climate venture builder that provides early-stage companies with financial and human capital and support businesses that will succeed commercially and drive lasting impact.
To strengthen the innovation ecosystems of Cameroon SMEs, Brite Cleantech and Innovation Program is embarking on a bespoke initiative titled “Accelerating Climate Tech Solutions for a climate resilient and low carbon development in Cameroon”.
Through this initiative, Brite Cleantech and Innovation Program will identify Cameroon’s climate innovators with technologies explicitly focused on developing and growing climate-positive business models and support them with training, mentorship, and access to funding via Brite Innovation Hub’s incubation and acceleration programmes.
The solutions varied across several themes including clean energy, circular economy, adaptation and resilience, urban solutions, food systems and sustainable mobility.
The second component of the initiative includes a bespoke 6-month climate tech accelerator that contribute to building the upstream ecosystem needed to generate a pipeline of investor-ready start-ups and scaling the availability of climate change solutions for climate resilient and low carbon development in Cameroon.
What will I learn?
Participants will acquire tools and techniques to anticipate change and respond to complex situations in their respective relevant fields. A crucial role for social innovators and entrepreneurs in the implementation of the 2030 SDGs and need to promote climate resilient and low carbon development is expected in the medium term. Entrepreneurs of tomorrow are requested to use their new models to achieve results and scale their services, including public-private partnerships.
Expected Impacts
This project significantly strengthens the climate-focused innovation ecosystems in Cameroon by providing necessary support to early-stage businesses with ideas and potential to contribute to decarbonised development.
