Ener-G-Africa (EGA) is a champion of sustainability in Africa, addressing the obstacles posed by climate change through locally developed sustainable energy solutions and clean energy products, spanning the entire continent.
EGA’s co-founder and CEO, Andre Moolman, explains that Ener-G-Africa was founded in Malawi in 2017, with a clear objective – to establish itself as a key player in the development of quality sustainable energy solutions for lower income communities.
“Since our foundation, we have been a catalyst for positive change in twelve African countries. With a team of experts from various disciplines, we are committed to tackling the challenges of climate change and improving the lives of people on the continent.”
Driven by innovation
In 2018, Ener-G-Africa started to distribute advanced biomass stoves, and commissioned its first factory in Cape Town a year later. The portfolio was gradually expanded to include solar panels, an energy-efficient cookware range and several other product groups, with the TLC Rocket Stove components becoming the company’s main product line.
In 2020, the company implemented a 500% surge in its stove manufacturing capacity, along with a significant doubling of solar product sales. To meet increased demand, further investment was announced in a new stove manufacturing facility and a solar panel assembly plant in Cape Town, the second of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and managed by women only, and the expansion does not stop there.
“What we have achieved so far is the result of our deep understanding of the African aspect,” says Moolman. “We are developing locally relevant solutions for Africa that have been designed with a view to improving people’s lives. That is a key point.”
The company’s growth over the seven years of its existence is remarkable. “There have been so many achievements on our journey,” reflects Moolman. “The first big one was being able to set up a mass manufacturing facility in Malawi. We did this during the pandemic when the world was isolated, but we carried on with the products for the African market. The second highlight was starting the solar panel plant, employing women from disadvantaged communities.”
Addressing the challenge
“We are also proud of creating an in-house capability to develop advanced biomass cook stoves that are highly environmentally friendly. Driven by innovation, in line with our company slogan ‘sustainability through innovation’, we have just launched a new stove with further improved efficiency.”
Speaking about the human factor, he reflects that for all the innovation initiatives in Ener-G-Africa’s sustainable energy model, the skills have been easily obtainable in the jurisdictions where the company operates, but Ener-G-Africa has invested in interesting projects that employ specialists, consultants, and trainers from advanced markets.
“The purpose has been not only to enhance existing skills, but also to cultivate expertise in the new evolving areas, such as clean energy solutions. These clean energy stoves, predominantly used by women, improve livelihoods by reducing the time spent cooking, the risks associated with collecting firewood and smoke-related illnesses. Bridging the gap between our ambitious goal and the required expertise has been an ongoing challenge but the commitment to continuous learning and skill development has been pivotal.”
Asked about the market environment and the general feeling towards sustainability, he points out that Africa has no other option. “600 million people on this continent have no access to energy and there’s no way that governments can envision an infrastructure to support the development. Our 20, 50 or 100-watt solar panels offer an affordable solution in a market that is obviously starting to understand the consequences of global warming.”
Unique of its kind
Challenges are inherent in such a fast business development, but these have been handled well. “Many times, we venture into uncharted territory, introducing new concepts, that often involve taking risks. However, we embrace these challenges by utilizing our financial resources to fund projects and innovations, striking a balance between innovation and financial prudence. This is a continuous journey that demands sound financial management.”
This is something that Andre Moolman, with decades of experience in managing programmes and leading major business units in Malawi and South Africa, provides. In October, Ener-G-Africa announced a further R135 million investment to establish a new production line for energy-efficient cook stoves in Paarl and to expand its existing solar panel factory in Cape Town from 15MW to an impressive 500MW capacity.
“This 500MW facility will become the largest solar panel assembly plant in Africa, contributing to job creation and value addition through advanced manufacturing. Besides helping to alleviate the impact of load shedding with domestic sales, Ener-G-Africa will also export to other African countries,” Moolman explains.
The ground for the stove factory has been broken and operations should start in April. “Our cooking stoves have undergone successful trials within local communities, and incentives are available for households interested in purchasing them through a carbon-financed cooking stove programme.”
Ready to exploit the potential
Offering products that reflect both sustainability and the need to help poor communities is a strong differentiator and Moolman affirms that that is also the company’s mission. “We want to be known as a company that makes an impact,” he says. And Ener-G-Africa’s impact has already been remarkable – the company has generated new employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled individuals and, on a wider scale, makes affordable energy solutions of high quality, accessible across the whole region.”
While Ener-G-Africa’s production facilities are based in South Africa and Malawi, the products are distributed in several other countries. “Our main markets are Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Angola, and we are planning to open up in Tanzania, Zambia and in Ghana in 2024. There is huge potential for growth. Our model is to set up distribution networks that will boost local economies through partnerships with local shops, agents, and employees, who then receive commission-based sales incentives,” says Moolman.
“Our vision is to have five major advanced biomass stoves facilities before 2030. We don’t only want to export finished products to other countries, we want to add value. So, we will be sending parts from the South African plants to be assembled locally. By 2026, we want to have five assembly plants in the sub-Saharan region. This may sound ambitious, but I have a very good team of managers in all these jurisdictions, and we believe the objective is realistic.”
