ProSus Magazine June 2023- English

ProSus

Strengthening collaboration for sustainability through connecting, listening, and learning.

IN THIS ISSUE

FELLOW INSIGHTS

Q&AwiththeAssociationofYoung EnergyActorsWestAfrica

Wendpayangdé Dimitri Tientega, Fatoumata Tounkara, and Mahugnon

Néhémie Kotobiodjo

ReflectionsfromtheFellows

Pingdwende Inès Ernestine Ouiminga/ Nana and Wendpayangdé Dimitri Tientega

TheHeartofmyProGreen Adventure

INTRODUCTION

Newwaysofworkingtogetherto supportrenewableenergy transitionsinWestAfrica

Dr Jon Padgham and Dr Mary Thompson-Hall

PERSPECTIVES

Pushingtheboundarieswithin researchandpractice landscapes.

Dr Mariama Camara

Whyiscollaborationsocriticalin science-societyinteractionsin Africa?

Karen Goldberg, Nwanyibuife Obiako, and Mpinane Senkhane

NurturingEquitableCollaboration onEnergyFuturesinWestAfrica

Dr Antoine Faye ABOUT

PROGREEN

ProGREENAssessments

ProGREENLeadershipFellows Program

Moussa Amani Mahamadou TEAM

REFLECTIONS

StretchingbeyondmyComfort Zone

Ellen Sow

DeepConnectionsinVirtual Spaces

Giovanni Sgobaro

SPOTLIGHT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

Energytransitionfinancinginthe WestAfricanEconomicand MonetaryUnion

Mahamadi Gaba

TwoBirdswithOneStone: RecyclingWasteforGreenEnergy

Diamondra Rakotonirina

OurOrganicWasteasaCrisisExit Solution?

Dr Lamine Ndiaye

NEW WAYS OF WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN WEST AFRICA:

The ProGREEN West Africa Program

By: Dr. Jon Padgham and Dr. Mary Thompson-Hall

Fromitsinception,thePromotingGains inRenewableEnergy-WestAfrica (ProGREEN)projectaimedtoenhance understandingofhowrenewable energytransitionsaffectdevelopment outcomes,particularlyrelatedtofood andwatersecurity,andthewell-being ofruralpopulations.Theprojecthas progressedthroughmultiplephases, evolvingandadaptinginthemidstof layeredchallengesincludingthose stemmingfromtheCovidpandemic thatsharplylimitedface-to-face engagement.Anchoredinthebelief thateffortstoaddresstoday’sglobal changechallenges(andaspirations) mustrecognizetheimportanceof humanconnection,thisprojectactively encouragedthedevelopmentof collaborativeskillsofresearchersand practitionerswhoworkwithdiverse stakeholdersaroundcritical sustainabilitychallenges.

ThisissueofProSuSexaminesthe persistentchallengesofenergy affordabilityandaccessinWestAfrica, theenormousbenefitsassociatedwith equitableaccesstorenewableenergy, andtheprogressivewaysinwhichthe ProGREENprojecthassoughttobuild newconnections,strengthenessential competencies,andnurturelasting relationshipsacrosssectorsand professionalsworkingintherenewable energyspace

Theabilityofresearcherstoengage effectivelyoncriticalsustainability

challenges,suchastransitioningto renewableenergy,requiresskillsand experientialconfidencetonavigate complexityanduncertainty,andto collaboratewithdiverseothers These capacitiesandcompetenciesarenot innatebutrathertheymustbenurtured andcultivated throughcreatingan environmentthatenablesdeep listeningandsharedlearningacross disciplinesanddomains

TheProGREENprojectrecognizedthe criticalimportanceofcreatingcapacity strengtheningoutcomesthatwentfar beyondskillstransfer,byemphasizing theintegrationofdiverseknowledge andperspectives,byexploring importantbutoftenoverlookedtopicsof gender&intersectionality,power dynamics,andjustice,andbyfocusing onhowtogainfluencyinworkingwith uncertainty,andbringingasystems perspectiveandfutureorientationinto addressingrenewableenergy transitions

Theemphasisonactiveconnectivity

acrossdisciplinesanddomains informedthedevelopmentofboth phasesoftheProGREENproject:thefirst phase,whichfocusedonintegrated countryassessmentstoaddress significantknowledgegapson renewableenergytransitions,andthe secondphase,whichfocusedon strengtheningleadershipskillsforearlycareerresearchersandsustainability professionalswhoarecommittedto advancingrenewableenergyinWest Africa.

Making New Connections and Gaining Fresh Perspectives

Theprojectbeganbyidentifyingcritical gapsinunderstandingtheimplications ofgreateraccesstorenewableenergy onkeydevelopmentoutcomes.The assessments,whichtookplacein SenegalandBurkinaFaso,were designedtoaddressthelackof comprehensiveunderstandingofthe linkbetweenenergyaccessand development,aswellaskeyformsand functionsoffinancingschemesand regulatorysystemsforrenewable energyinWestAfrica

Thediversemakeupoftheteams,and theirmodesofworkingtogether, emergedasaparticularlyvaluableand impactfuldimensionoftheassessment component.

Amixed-teamapproachwas undertakeninbothcountries,bringing togetherearly-andmid-careerexperts fromuniversities,researchcenters, governmentagencies,private-sector organizationsinvolvedinfinance,and representativesfromcivilsociety.

Thatapproach,whichaimedtofoster integratedlearningbetweenresearch, policyandpractice,wasanewwayof workingformostteammembersand highlightedtherichlearning opportunitiesfoundindoingintegrated science

Developing Collaborative Capacities for Deeper Connections Across Stakeholders

ThefirstphaseofProGREEN(thecountry assessments)wascriticalforinforming thedevelopmentofthesecondphase ondevelopingscienceleadership competencies inparticular,the consistentfindingacrossSenegaland BurkinaFasothatpoorcommunication, coordination,andconnectionbetween renewableenergyactorshinders progresstowardsadvancingaclean energytransition.

Suchbarriers,thoughoftenrecognized, arerarelygivensufficientattention comparedwithmorelinear, technologicallyorientedapproachesto addressingproblems Moreover,actors entistsandnon-scientists)are ectedtoknowhowtoworkand cateacrossdiversegroupson tedandoftencontestedissues nydedicatedtraining

circumstancespointedtothe aholisticapproachtocapacity ningforscienceleadership

thatwasthendevelopedandappliedto theenergytransitioncontextof ProGREEN.STARTandReosPartners collaboratedtogetheronthesecond phaseofProGREENtodesigna leadershipfellowsprogramtargetedto earlycareerrenewableenergyscientists andprofessionalsfromFrancophone WestAfrica.Theleadershipfellows programprovidedintegratedinsight andlearningonhowtoworkmore effectivelyincomplexenvironments withdiversestakeholderswhobring varyingvalues,priorities,knowledges andperspectivestothechallengeof renewableenergytransitions

TheProGREENprojectwas framedbycriticalrenewable energychallengesand capacitystrengthening prioritiesinWestAfrica.This issueofProSusexploresthe richnessofintegratedlearning thatoccurredthroughthe ProGREENproject,including testimonyofitsimpactfrom thefellowsthemselvesaswell ascoreteammemberswho weretherethroughoutthe journey.

Promoting Gains in Renewable EnergyWest Africa (ProGREEN) is a project implemented by START with support from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ).

Dr. Jon Padgham Executive Director, START International USA

Dr. Mary Thompson-Hall Senior Program Specialist, START International USA

Perspectives

Pushing the boundaries in research and practice landscapes

By: Dr Mariama Camara

TremendouseffortshavebeenmadetoreachSustainableDevelopmentGoal(SDG) seven,"Ensureaccesstoaffordable,reliable,sustainableandmodernenergyforall" beforethe2030deadline.GovernmentsinWestAfricahaveraisedsizableamountsof moneytowardeffortsfortransitionstorenewableenergy,anddecentralizedsolutions havebecomeakeypartofimprovingenergyaccess,andimprovinglivelihoodsand well-beinginruralareas Substantialinvestmentshavealsobeenmadeinregional financialschemeslike"payasyougo".However,asofnow,theregion'spotentialfor renewableenergyremainslargelyuntapped,andlevelsofqualifiedpersonnelto supportenergytransitionsarepersistentlylow.

Tomaketangibleprogresswiththe energytransition,itisnecessarytobuild onexistingregionaleffortstoadvance skill-buildingandspecializedtraining.A varietyoftrainingsareongoingatthe regionalandnationallevels,butthe majorityutilizeconventional,one-way knowledgetransfermodalitiesthat adheretostandardcurriculaandrarely permitupdating Inaddition,bilateral andmultilateralinitiativeshavebeen organizingtrainingsessionsforearlycareerprofessionals,however,these usuallyeitherreiteratetraditional curriculaorstrictlyfocusonthe particularprojectinwhichtheyare implemented,withouttaking participants'broaderneedsinto account.Basedontheseobservations andthefindingsoftheProGREEN regionalassessmentsinWestAfrica, STARTventuredtodevelopaninnovative andhighlyinteractiveleadership programforfrancophoneearly-career scientistsandprofessionalsinthe renewableenergysector.

Withitsfocusonhelpingparticipants growtheirabilitiesandinterpersonal skillsforflexiblyworkingthroughtough challengesincollaborationwithdiverse others,theProGREENLeadership FellowshipProgram,designedin partnershipwithReosPartners,has broughtfreshperspectivestothe francophonerenewableenergy capacitystrengtheninglandscape. Duringourdevelopmentofthemodule contentandthroughco-facilitatingthe onlinesessions,Icametorecognizethe valueofexposingthefellowsto conceptsandideasthatare underutilizedintheFrenchsystemand conventionaltrainings,conceptssuch asempathyandintersectionality.

Theseconceptsandothershelpedfellowsindevelopingtheirconfidence,supporting theircuriosity,andincreasingtheiropennesstosharingideas.Ialsogreatly appreciatedthattheprogramwasconductedinFrenchsincethelanguagebarrier commonlylowersthechancethatFrenchspeakerswilltakepartininternational trainingsbyhugemargins.

Havingfollowedthefellows'progress overtheseveralmonthssincethe program 'sfinallearningevent,Iamkeen tosharetheseinsightswithothers, especiallywithschoolanduniversity administratorstomotivategreater conversationsoninnovativewaysthat wecanallsupportfutureWestAfrican leaderstobemoreengagedin equitablyandcollaboratively addressingglobalsustainability challenges.

Dr Mariama Camara Program Specialist, START International Dakar, Senegal

WHY IS COLLABORATION SO CRITICAL IN SCIENCE-SOCIETY INTERACTIONS IN AFRICA?

By: Karen Goldberg, Nwanyibuife Obiako, and Mpinane Senkhane

Whilethenecessityfordiverseactorsto worktogethertomakemeaningful progressonourmajorsustainability challengesistrue,therationalefor collaborationinthecontextoftheglobal southtendstooverlookakeyimperative forrealandgenuinecollaboration, whichistheneedtodecolonise developmentandhowacademic researchandresearchersinteractwith society.

Foranyonethathasbeeninaresearch consortium,orworkedonanissuethat involvesresearchersandsocietal stakeholdersintheglobalsouth,itiswell worthaskingourselves:

“Ifyouwanttogofast,goalone.Ifyou wanttogofar,gowithothers”~African Proverb

The2020shavebeendescribedasthe “DecisiveDecade”.Whetheritisin relationtoclimatechange,resource depletionordegradationorequity,what wedoordon’tdoduringthenextfew Yearswillhavelong-termconsequences forusall.Andtheoperativewordis“we”: theextentandcomplexityofthe challengesthatwefacemeanthatwe canonlymakemeaningfulprogresson theseissuesifweworktogether.The SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs) recognisehowimportantpartnering, cooperationandcollaborationarefor theirachievement,throughtheir universal,integratedandindivisible nature

Whosetstheresearch agenda?Whoprovides thefunding?Who overseesandmanages theprojects?Whoarethe supervisorsandwhoare thestudentresearchers?

Whomakesthe decisions?Towhatextent doesthedecisionmaking,projectdirection andpowerresidein individualsorinstitutions basedintheglobalnorth?

Itislikelythatmanyofouranswerswill pointtowardsaskewedpower differential,infavourofindividualsor institutionsbasedin,originating,or stronglysupportedbytheglobalnorth; andinfavourofresearchersand academics,asopposedtosocietal actors,inparticularcommunities.

Assuch,theimperativeforcollaboration ontheAfricancontinentisnotonlyan imperativetoaddresssustainability challengesperse,buttoadvance justiceandtransformationasameans toaddressingthesechallenges:and specificallytopositionAfrica,Africans andAfricanwisdom,perspectivesand practicesonanequalfootingas westernandnorthernwaysofthinking, beinganddoing

Importantly,thismeanspayingattention to,anddisrupting,thepowerdifferentials thatinvariablyexistamongstdifferent stakeholdersinthescience-society interfaceintheAfricancontext,and, importantly,thementalmodelsthat underpinthesedifferencesinpowerand howpowerandrankareexerted.Thisis arguablymostpertinentwhenworking ontheAfricancontinent.

Sowhataresomeofthese mentalmodels?

Whetherweliketoadmititornot,deeply entrenchedcolonialmentalmodelsstill underpintheviewoftheAfrican continentasawhole,muchofthe developmentparadigmandtraditional academia.Itisthemindsetthat convenientlyforgetsthatAfricawasand

stillisbeingplunderedforitsnaturaland humanresources;howitspeopleswere, andinmanycasesstillare,viewedas secondclasscitizens,ignorant,needing tobesteered,corralledandsaved,with limitedagency,resourcesorwisdomof theirown Itistheassumptionthat certaintypesofknowledgeorwaysof knowingaremorelegitimateand crediblethanothers.Itistheespousalof individualismoverinterdependence

Sohowdoweshiftthesemental models?

Genuineandsuccessfulcollaboration acrossthescience-societyinterfacein theAfricancontextrequires acknowledgingandshiftingthese mentalmodels,beliefsandassumptions -inAfricansandnon-Africansalike.This requiresthedeliberatedevelopmentof certainmeta-competencies(alsocalled “21st-centuryskills,"whichareviewedas importantforsuccessintoday'srapidly changingworld)thatmanyofushave neverbeentaught,orifwehave,have notthoughttheserelevanttoworking withotherstomakeprogresson sustainabilitychallenges.

Sowhatarethemeta-competenciesrequired?

STARTandReosPartnershavebeenexploringthisquestionforseveralYearsnow, throughanumberof“LeadershipLabs”thatwehavefacilitatedforWestAfrican sustainabilityresearchersandpractitioners.Hereweoutlinefivemeta-competencies, whichwethinkareparticularlyimportantforshiftingourbeliefsandmentalmodels:

Reflexivity:beingabletofocusonourselvesandcriticallyreflectonhowourown assumptions,experiencesandpositionality(ie ourdifferencesinsocialposition andpowerinrelationtoothers)influencethewaywesee,experienceandmake senseoftheworld,andhowotherssee,experienceandmakesenseofus. Reflexivitycanhelpbuildcontextualawarenessandsensitivitywhenworkingwith diversepeople,canhelpilluminatepowerrelationsandpowerdynamicsina group,andcanhelptospotlightpotentiallyproblematicassumptionsthatcan hinderthesuccessofcollaborativework.

Empathy:isabouttryingtounderstandtheworldthroughsomeoneelse’seyes-to experiencetheworldastheydo-evenifwehaveadifferentperspectiveoropinion tothem.Developingthiscompetencyisparticularlyusefulwhenweholdvery differentworldviewsorperspectivestoothersweneedtoworkwith,andis particularlyimportantwhenweholdalotofpositionalpower,inrelationtoother stakeholders

Flexibility:isthecapacitytoadjusttochangequicklyandcalmlysothatwecan dealwithunexpectedproblemsortaskseffectively.Buildingthecompetenceof flexibilityultimatelyincreasesourfaithinourabilitytohandleawiderangeoftasks andsituations,eveninthefaceofconflictorchange Italsoinvitesasenseof opennesstootherideasandwaysofseeingtheworldandwhatmightbeneeded.

Courage:isthewillingnesstoexamineyourownbeliefs,mentalmodelsand blindspotsandtotuneintouncomfortableconversationsorissues,includingthe extenttowhichwemaybeexertingourpoweroverothersinawaythatcauses harm Itisalsothecouragetobeopen,vulnerableandbeableandwillingtomake mistakesinordertobeabletolearn,whenthesituationwarrantsit.Courageis requiredbybothindividualsandgroups,inordertoaddresspotentialpower differentialsinagroup,andtobeabletohaveimportant,difficultconversations.

Curiosity:Thisisthewillingnessandabilityto“leanin”or“leanforward”-tolearn andunderstandmoreaboutourselves,howothersperceiveusandtheworld aroundthem,thewillingnesstolearn,totrythingsout,andtobecurious,even aboutthethingsthatarehardandmakeusfeeluncomfortable.Developingthis competencycanstrengthentheefficacyoftheothercompetencies

What can be unlocked by shifting our mental models, assumptions and beliefs, individuallyandcollectively?

Whenwestartdecolonisingourmindsandourrelationshipswithoneanother,weare able to develop a deeper understanding for our individual and collective complicity and contribution towards our unsustainable systems and practices as well as our agency in effecting change; and this applies to everyone, not just some There is the possibility that those of us with more positional power are able to develop a sense of humility and shift away from either centering ourselves, or thinking that we are set apartfromtheissue,tooneofunderstandingtheproductiveroleandcontributionwe can make, as one of many important actors in the collaboration - not the most important or powerful actor. And through doing so, we can cultivate greater mutual respect, transparency and trust amongst science-society actors and partners, as an importantstepalongthejourneytoamoresustainableandequitablefuture.

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together”.

- Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Karen Goldberg, Reos Partners, South Africa

Mpinane Senkhane, Reos Partners, South Africa

Nwanyibuife Obiako, Reos Partners, Nigeria

Nurturing Equitable Collaboration on Energy Futures in West Africa

TheenergysystemsofWestAfrican countriesfacetheinterdependent challengesofaccesstoenergy,energy security,andrespondingtoclimate change.Morethan60%ofthepeoplein thisregionlackaccesstoenergy,with thepercentagebeingsignificantly higherinruralareas.STARTandFRQ launchedtheProGREEN–WestAfrica programtolookinvestigatehowsmallscalerenewableenergysystemscan contributetoabroaderenergytransition inthesub-region Ontheonehand,the findingshaveshownthatpolicymakers areattemptingrobustplanstoexpand accesstoenergy,andeverypolicyputin placeaimstotackletheproblemof energyefficiencyaswell.

However,itwasalsoshownthatsuccess andsustainabilityofsuchpolicies dependsinlargepartoneducational offerings,withinhighereducationand broadercapacitybuildingefforts.Such findingsareimportantbothintermsof whatsocietyexpectsandneedsfrom therenewableenergy-focused programsofferedbyacademic institutionsandotherswithregardto content,andtheabilityofinstitutionsto adapttotheseexpectationsintermsof delivery

TheProGREENprogramhasrecognized andrespondedtothisdynamicby seekingtostrengthenthefoundationof knowledgethatyoungresearchersand

professionalswillbringtotheircareers. Thesearethesamescholarswhowill inevitablybecomeexecutivesand decision-makersfordevelopmentin theirrespectivecountries

AsamemberoftheProGREENSenegal assessmentteam,andleadinga renewableenergyfinancelabwiththe ProGREENLeadershipFellowsProgram,I canattesttothesuccessofitsapproach toinitiatingthecrucialprocessof empoweringbothmenandwomento buildframeworksforconsultationand partnershipthatareverticalNorth/South butalsohorizontalSouth/South.This approachalsostrengthensknowledge exchangeandcommunicationbetween participants,therebybolsteringand expandingthedisseminationof knowledgethatcaninformnew generationsabouttheirrolesrelatingto energyfutures.

Theleadershipprogramhasshownto beanexcellentteachingtool,butalso a leverforthepursuitofuniversalaccess toenergy Itis raisingthecalibreof researchthroughcollaborationthatis gender-equitable,transdisciplinary,and technicallyproficient Itisobviousthat specificenergysituationsinthefellows’ variouscountriesoforiginaredifferent, andyetProGREENhasestablishedsolid tiesamongstthegroupthrougha sharedfocusandbyfosteringmultiscalarconnectionsthrough encouragingsharing,solidarity,and equalityamongststakeholders.

Dr Antoine Faye, Energy, Policy, and Finance Consultant, Senegal

About ProGREEN

ProGREEN Renewable Energy Assessments

oGREENbeganwithidentifyingcriticalgapsinunderstandingofhowgreateraccess renewableenergyimpactsthelivesofdifferentgroupsofpeopleinWestAfrica,as ellashighlightingincompleteinformationandunderstandingsoffinancingschemes ndregulatorysystemsinWestAfrica,howtheyfunctioned,andwhatcouldbe mprovedupon Theserepresentedintegralpiecesofinformationforcomprehensive amingsoftherenewableenergylandscapeintheregion

Asafirstsetofactivities,theprojectinitiatedacomprehensivemulti-partassessment effortwithmulti-sector researchersandprofessionalsfromBurkinaFasoandSenegal focusingon1.)thekeyenablingandconstrainingfactorsthatinfluencethe developmentofsmall-scalerenewableenergysystems,includingsolar,and bioenergy,intheregion,and2)howaccesstorenewableenergyimpactsthe wellbeingofcommunitiesintermsofimportantdevelopmentpriorities.

Inbothcountries,theassessmentteamsfoundsubstantialgovernmenteffortsto promoterenewableenergyandtoencourageprivatesectorinvolvement,and considerableworkonthepartofnongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs)tonurture theadoptionandspreadofrenewableenergytechnologiesinremoteareas.However, thesectorcontinuestofacemanypersistentandlayeredchallengesincluding insufficientregulatoryframeworksandlackingqualitycontrol,limitedcoordination amongrelevantactorsandstakeholders,insufficientavailablefunding,andtoofew skilledtechniciansforensuringreliableandsuccessfulenergyinstallations

Themixed-teamapproachbroughttogethernovelcombinationsofearly-andmidcareerexpertsfromuniversities,researchcenters,governmentagencies,privatesectororganizationsinvolvedinfinance,andrepresentativesfromcivilsociety.

Assessmentteammembersexpressedthatthediversityofthegroupsmadebroader framingoftheissuespossible,broughtdifferentapproachestoproblems,and producedmorebalancedresults.Youcanreadmoreaboutthefindingsofthe assessmentteamsinBurkinaFasohere,andinSenegalhere.

The ProGREEN Leadership Fellows Program

Buildingonpreviousworkonleadershipwithyoungscientistsworkingonissuesof foodsecurityandclimatechangeadaptation,STARTpartneredwithReosPartnersto designaleadershipfellowsprogramforagroupofFrancophoneearlycareer renewableenergyscientistsandprofessionalsfromacrossWestAfrica Weintended thisprogramtobeajourneywhereparticipantscouldstrengthentheirpersonaland interpersonalleadershipcompetenciesforeffectivelycollaboratingwithothersand navigatingthechallengesaddressingcomplexsocio-ecologicalproblems

Over400applicantswerecompetitivelyreviewedandnarrowedtosixteengenderbalancedfellowsfromSenegal,Togo,Benin,Mali,Côted’Ivoire,Niger,Nigeria,and BurkinaFasowithmulti-sectorbackgroundsinacademia, theprivatesector,thepublicsector,andcivilsociety.

Over10months,thesefellowsprogressedthroughcombined synchronousandasynchronousmoduleson:

FoundationsforImpactfulCollaborations

SystemsThinking

Foresight;ReflexivityandEmpathy

Flexibility

LearningandGrowingintheFaceofDiscomfortand

Uncertainty

Power,Gender,andIntersectionality

ReducingInjustice

DealingwithStucknessinaSystem

Themoduleswerecomplementedbysupplementallabson communications,currentsolarandbioenergylandscapes,renewableenergyfinance, andproposalwriting.Eachmoduleconsistedofanonline,asynchronouslearninglab coupledwithasynchronous,virtualcontactsession,facilitatedinFrench,where participantscouldreflectonhowthelessonsareorcouldbeappliedintheirownwork

andwheretheycouldinteractwith theirfellowparticipantsaround thethemewithcarefullydesigned, participatoryexercises.

Anin-personfinallearningevent washeldinDecember,2022where thefellowshadtheopportunityto exchangeinsightsabouttheir experiencewiththeirpeers,reflect onthemostimportantlessons learned,andshareabouttheir broaderworkwith invitedguests fromSenegal'srenewableenergy sector Keepreadingtohearmore aboutthefellows'experiences!

Fellow Insights

Q&A With The Association of Young Energy Actors in West Africa

Wendpayangdé

Dimitri TIENTEGA ProGREEN Fellow, Burkina Faso

iationofYoung EnergyActors?

Thenon-profitorganizationAssociation desJeunesActeursdel'Energie-JAE (YoungEnergyActors)wascreatedin BurkinaFasoin2019andreceivedits officialrecognitiononApril1,2021 Since 2022,brancheshavebeenestablishedin France,Benin,andMali,andtheSenegal branchiscomingsoon.Thecoremission istoengageyouthintherenewable energysector,environmentaleducation, andotherrelateddisciplinesto acceleratetheachievementofthe SustainableDevelopmentGoals.Weare organizedintoworkinggroupscarryout capacitybuildingefforts,advocacy,and alsodevelopmentprojects

Whereandhowdidtheassociation begin?

WhileIwasenrolledintheUniversity JosephKiZerbo'sAppliedSolar TechnologiesMasterprogramin Ouagadougou,therewaslittleyouth involvementinthesectorandlittle promotionofrenewableenergies With thehelpofsomefriends,weformeda grouptobeginworkingonrenewable energyinitiativesandtohold

conferenceswithsmallpanelstowhich weinvitedourseniorcolleagues, professors,andexperts.Thegroup beganexpandingasmoreyoung peoplegotinterestedinouractivities, andsoweestablishedJAEinorderto continuegrowingourimpact.Nowwe areaskedtodirectconferences,training sessions,andworkshopsinuniversities, highschools,associations,groups,and communities.

Whatcouldbethebenefitofhavingan associationineachAfricancountry?

Withmoreextensivecountrybranches, itwouldbepossibletogainaglobal perspectiveontherealityofeach country,tolearnfromoneanother,and, mostimportantly,tocarryoutadvocacy andactivitieswithaninternationalfocus withease

Doyouplantoorganizeregional activities?

Yes,wehaveplanstoholdinternational congressesofyoungenergyactors, Africanenergysummits,andto incorporatetheBurkinaFasoenergy debatesintoaPan-AfricanCupof EnergyDebateswithothercountries. Also, wewanttoinvolveallJAE branchesinthenextjointEuropean UnionandAfricanUnionInternational RoundTableofEnergyStakeholders,the firsteditionofwhichthebranchesof BurkinaFasoandFrancebeautifully organizedonMarch18,2023.

Howdidyoufirsthearaboutthe association?

Ifirstcameacrosssomeinformationon socialmedia,onFacebook,then, becauseoftheProGREENproject,Ihad theopportunitytomeetDimitriand speakwithhimmoreaboutthe association

Whatmadeyouthinkthisissomething youshouldbringtoMali?

IhadobservedthatMalilackedsuchan

initiative IsawthatJAE'steamwas young,extremelydriven,andactive, whichIbelievehelpswithitscontribution toknowledgeandinstructionon renewableenergy.Theactionplanis diverse,withaprimaryfocusonthe educationofyouthandthe empowermentofwomen Irealizedthat aninitiativelikethiswouldbegreatfor youngpeopleinMalisinceitwill advanceyoutheducationandmakeit easierforthemtointegrateintothe workforce.

Mahugnon Néhémie

Kotobiodjo

ProGREEN Fellow, Benin

Howdidyoufirstgetinvolvedwiththe association?

MeetingDimitriduringtheProGREEN Leadershipprogramwasthecatalystfor myinvolementwiththeassociation YoungEnergyActors(JAE).Settingupa nationalframeworkforyouthexchanges aroundrenewableenergieswas somethingIwasalreadyconsidering. Insteadofstartinganeworganization, wethoughtitmoreadvantageousto combineoureffortstoofferJAEtoanew setofmembers.Consequently,the Beninesesectionoftheassociationwas founded.Thiscollaborationmadeit possibletoorganizethefirstactivityof

theorganizationinSeptember2022.A webinarentitled,"Renewableenergy's roleinAfrica'spost-COVIDeconomic rebound" Thiswasorganizedwiththe BeninYouthParliament,theLaboratory Society-EnvironmentoftheUniversityof Parakou,andothercivilsociety organizations

Whatmadeyouthinkitwouldbe interestingtobringthisassociationto theyoungenergyactorsinBenin?

Thekeytoovercomingthedifficultiesof promotingrenewableenergy, combatingclimatechange,ensuring foodsecurity,addressinggenderissues, andotherissuesofinteresttoAfricaisto worktogether.Definingadevelopment strategythatextendsbeyondmicrolevelgoalsisthebiggestchallenge.With JAE,wearecreatinganetworkofyoung peoplededicatedto problemsof sustainabledevelopment Ibelievethat youngBeninesecontributionswillbe highlyhelpfulformycountry,Africa,and theentireworld.

Fatoumata Tounkara ProGREEN Fellow, Mali

Current and Upcoming Activities of The Association of Young Energy Actors in West Africa

Thefiftheditionoftheenergydebates heldunderthetheme:"contributionof renewableenergiesanddigital technologytotheempowermentof youngpeopleandwomeninruralareas inacontextofthefightagainstglobal warming".Theregionalchampionswill meetinMayinOuagadougouforthe nationalstagesfollowingtheconclusion oftheregionalphases

IntensiveSolarTrainingProjectfor52 YoungInternallyDisplacedPersons:Over onemillion80,000peoplehavebeen internallydisplacedasaresultofthe securityissuethathasplaguedBurkina Fasoforseveralyears Ifvulnerable personsareabandoned,extremist organizationsmayusethemaseasy pickingstoenlistthemintheirranks In ordertoprovidethemwiththeskillsand resourcestheyneedtobeindependent andhireotheryoungpeople,weare workingwiththefinancialassistanceof theSupportFundforVocationalTraining andApprenticeship(FAFPA)

Aprojecttodevelopsolarkitsforfirst accesstoenergyforemergencyhousing andinruralareas:thisprojectintendsto combatenergypovertybydeveloping solarkitsforemergencyhousingand rurallocationsthatwillprovideinitial accesstoenergy

Aprojecttoinstallsolarlampsin Ouagadougouinneighborhoodswith serioussecurityissues

JAEcurrentlyconductvirtualmeetings twiceamonth.Wealsotakepartin variousactivitiesontheassociation's behalf Additionally,weareorganizinga conferenceonrenewableenergy sources.

Theprocessofrecruitingassociation membershasbegun.Currentlyweare holdingconversationsaboutcreating variousworkinggroups Sessionsto strengthenleadershipskills,learnhowto usetoolsforteamwork,mountsolar panels,andholdpublicconferencesare allscheduled.AndanationalJAE congresswillbeheldinthethirdquarter of2023

For more information on Association des Jeunes Acteurs de l'Energie(JAE), please follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn!

REFLECTIONS FROM THE FELLOWS

Dimitri

THE HEART OF MY PROGREEN ADVENTURE

LastFebruary,mylifechangedina goodwaybecauseIdiscoveredthe existenceofaFrancophoneleadership programforWestAfricanrenewable energyjuniorscalledtheProGREEN LeadershipFellowsProgram.Thefocus onleadershipis,inmyopinion,a revolutionbecausemostoftheexisting capacitysupportprogramsin

renewableenergiesfocusmainlyonthe technicalandpurelypragmaticsides ManyoftheprogramsIhavebeen involvedinofferedthesametypeof modulesbasedprimarilyonsizing techniquesforinstallationsand software.

Whatalovelysurpriseitwasformeto learnthatthenewprogramIwas applyingfor focusedmoreonthe leadershipandmanagementsideof renewableenergies application.Iemba

adventureinMarch untilDecember.Du wasabletomeety professionalswhos passionasme,tha sustainableenergy Africa.Throughthe colleagues,asIcal notice thatwesha challengesregardl Thishasbeenaop mycommunication projectideaswithi learnedaboutresil difficultiesorprogra importantcurrenti forgender,andthe considerationofall

inadevelopmentproject.These moduleswereaveryrefreshingand invigoratingtripformybrainduetothe pedagogyandthesympathyofthe talentedtrainers Themodulesandcase studiescoveredintheprogramhelped meonadailybasisinmyworkasa projectmanageratImpactHubAbidjan inCôted’Ivoire Ithasalsogivenmethe skillsandthestrongnetworktobecome theleaderI’vedreamedof,tobringmy contributiontothedevelopmentof renewableenergiesinmyhomecountry ofNiger.

Aftereightmonthsofvirtualmeetingson Zoom,theclosingceremonyforthe programwasheldinthebeautifulcityof Dakar.Thisgaveusfellowsthechance tofinallymeetinperson Duringthistrip, wereabletodeepenourrelationships

Team Reflections

STRETCHING BEYOND MY COMFORT ZONE

My experience working with the ProGREEN Leadership Fellows Program

By: Ellen Sow

AsasocialsciencestudentdoinganMA inAfricanstudies,myexperiencewithin theProGREENteamwasextremely enriching.Theprojectfeaturedalarge rangeofyoungprofessionalswithvery diversebackgroundsfromallover West-Africa.Beingabletocontributetoaswellaslearnfrom-theleadership lab,gavemetheopportunityto discovermoreaboutinterestsand perceptionsofthoseworkinginthefield ofrenewableenergiesinWest-Africa. Furthermore,itwasalsoachancefor metogettoknowmoreaboutsomeof theworkthatisbeingdonebythe communityofyoungrenewable energy-enthusiasts.Itwasamazingto seethisgroupcreatingjointlyan amazingspaceforsharingandlearning aboutleadership

Thiswasafirstworkingexperienceinmy fieldofstudy,andsoitwasimportant formetodosowithintheframeworkof anorganisationthatisinaccordance withmyvalues.Therefore,tome workingwithSTARTinternationaland REOSpartnersjointlyonthisprojectwas notonlyagreatwaytodiscovertheir workisbutalsotolearnhowtotake initiativesandshareknowledgeinan ethicalway.Ihighlyappreciatedthe workculturewhichbuiltasafespacefor everyparticipant,fellow,facilitatoror guesttoshareandlearnina comfortableandrespectfulway.

Workingonthisprojecthaspushedme outofmycomfortzoneasmytasks expandedfromdeskresearchtoback theleadership-labmodules,to supportingthefacilitationofthe discussionsandactivitiesofthecontact sessions

Whiletakingupthesenewtaskswas quiteintimidatingatfirst,seeingthatmy colleaguestrustedmeinthatroleand evengentlyencouragedmetofurther mycontributionsiswhatenabledmeto stepup.Thisisalsowhathelpedme growthroughoutthewholetimeofthe project,anditmadeavisibledifference inhowIapproachandassessmyown skillsandcapabilitiesnow.

Theleadership-labreallycreateda spacewhereallparticipantswere openlydiscussingwaystoenhance theirworkintherenewableenergy sectorthroughmeansofbetter collaborationsbetweenvariousactors Thefactthatthisprojectemphasizeda lottheideathatwearealllearning togetherandfromeachotherhelped metostepoutofmycomfortzoneto openupaboutideasandcontribution andtoreachmyfullpotential

WorkingwithonProGREENandmore specificallyonthisleadershiplabhasin factopenednewpathwaysforme career-wise Forthefirsttimeasa youngstudententeringtheprofessional world,IcouldseewhereIcouldgowith myinterestsandqualifications.Sofar muchofmyworkhasbeenconfinedto theoryintheacademicspaceofmy studies Thisexperiencesetagood exampleonhowmytheoretical knowledgecouldbeusedinreallife projects.Finally,Iwasabletoseehow myacademicknowledgebecomes meaningfulwhenappliedtoprograms andprojectslikethisoneforinstance.

Besidesthat,itopenedupthe opportunityformetofacilitateactivities anddiscussionsaroundleadership, whichwasveryenlighteningtome,as thisisnowacareerpaththatIcansee myselfpursueinthefuture.Iespecially likedthecontactwithpassionate professionalswhoaremotivatedto exchangeanddiscussnewwaysto bettertheirwork.

DEEP CONNECTIONS IN VIRTUAL SPACES

By: Giovanni Sgobaro

Howdoyoucreateasenseof community,online?Howdoyoushapea virtualspaceconducivetoopen discussionsandleadershipgrowthwith agroupofyoungprofessionals scatteredacrossacontinent,thatdon’t knoweachotheranddon’thavethe opportunitytoworkinperson?Tough question,andoneIcouldn’tfullyanswer atthebeginningof2022.

Ihavebeenpartofagreatteamwith amazingcolleaguesfromSTARTand ReosPartners,taskedtoco-designand facilitateaLabwithintheProGREEN projectinWestAfrica:

sixteenfellowsworkingonsmall-scaleenergytransitioninWesternAfricawere selectedamongfourhundredapplicantstoattendaten-monthlearningprocesson SystemsLeadershipfortransformation.

WhenwefinallymetthegroupinpersoninDakarattheveryendoftheprocessin December2022,werealizedthattherelationshipsthathadbeenformedwhilewehad beenworkingremotelywerealreadystrong,andtheenergyinthegroupwasquite alive.Thetwodaysofin-personworkinDakarwereasuccessalsobecausewe–both participantsandfacilitators–hadestablishedafoundation,somesortofgroup identitywecouldbuildon

Thistomewasproofthatrelationshipscangrowdespitedistance.Technologycan help,anditcanbeasmuchanobstacleasanenablerofrelationships:itbasically dependsonus,onourchoices–bothasdesignersandusersofaprocess;butapart foranenablingtechnology,whatelsedoesittaketomakerelationshipsgrowdespite distanceandtime?Tome,afewingredientsmighthavecontributedtothis “alchemical”process:

Usingonlinesessionsforfacilitatedinteractions,notteaching:aconventional approachtolearningwouldhaveusedgroupsessionsonlinetopresentandtransmit information,leavinginteractionsinbetweensessionstoparticipants;theessenceofa Lab,though,istofliparoundthestandardstructureofacourse,andusethefew precioushoursofpresencetoconnectheads,heartsandhands,honoringthepower ofdialogue,collaborationandcreativitytoforgelearningandrelationships.

Asharedcommitmenttoexploring conceptsthroughsometimesuneasy conversations:startingwithquestions thatputatthecenterlivedexperiences, thewholeperson,ratherthanconfining learningattheprofessionalor intellectuallevel Alearningprocessthat

putsleadershipatthecenterisnecessarilyagrowthprocess,andgrowthislimited withoutacceptanceandopennesstoshowingupfully.

Awillingnesstoexperimentandplaynewordifferentgamestogether:attimeswe tooksomerisksintryingoutthingswiththegroup,adaptingexerciseswehadnever doneonline,experimentingwithnewwaystoengagethefellows’creativityand exploration,withoutbeing100%sureitwouldhaveworked.Andsometimesitdidn’t workexactlyaswehadexpected,butwehavevaluedeverysingledropoflearningwe coulddistilloutoftheexperience.

Awillingnesstoevolveandchangeroles:Isuspectthatoneoftheelementsenabling deepconnectionwasalsodisplayingthewillingnesstoevolveasafacilitationteam:in oursmallteamofthree,wehaven’talwaysshowedupwiththesamefixedrolesand voices,becausewewereinawaygrowingwiththegroupandthroughouttheprocess

Encouragingpresence,visualcontactandactinglikeifthe“frame”wasn’tthere:itis oftentempting-orjustpracticalorconvenient-toswitchoffcameraswhenweare online,therearealwaysgoodreasonsforit–ourbusy,evermulti-taskinglives,orjust unstableconnectionsthatdon’tworkinourfavor.Gettingoutofthe“comfortably invisible”bubblesandjustbevisuallyaccessibletotherestofthegroupcanbeaway toencourageundividedattention,albeitframedbyalaptopormobilescreen.Also, actinglikewewouldactinreallife,withoutlosingspontaneity,humor,energyand movementhonorsthisintention.

So,toconclude,whatenablesdeepconnectionsinvirtualspaces?Iamnotsurethat thefewthoughtsabovecanbeconsidereda“recipeforsuccess”:theyarevery personal,incompleteandtransient IntheendIthinktheyallpointtothefactthat facilitationandteachingcanbeblendedandcombinedinmanyways;butmaybe

evenmoreimportantly,thatconnections deepenwhenwedesignspacesthat valueexploration,experimentation, dialogue,questioning,andshowingup fullyasessentialpiecesof“luggage”to carryinourbackpacksforalearning journey.

Giovanni Sgobaro Senior Associate, Reos Partners European Office, Geneva, Switzerland

Spotlight on Renewable Energy

Energy transition financing in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

By: Mahamadi GABA

Mitigatingtheeffectsofclimatechange andlimitingglobalwarmingtobelow 2°Cinaccordancewiththe commitmentsmadeintheParis AgreementandtheSustainable DevelopmentGoals(SDGs)willrequire changesinproductionandconsumption patterns Itisagreedthatanthropogenic activitiesarethemaincauseofglobal warming,andtheconsequencesofsuch changesaredrasticontheAfrican continent.Thisistrueeventhough Africancountriescontributeonlyslightly togreenhousegasemissions(Betoniet al,2015)

InthecontextoftheWestAfrican EconomicandMonetaryUnion(WAEMU), themostnoticeable effectsofclimatechangecanbe summarizedasincreasesinsealevel, advancesofthedesertinSahelian countries,morefrequentextremeevents (floods,drought),andnegativeimpacts onfoodproduction(Fayeetal.2019).

Toremedytheseproblemsandensure thesocio-economicdevelopmentof stateswhilemitigatingtheeffectsof climatechange,itisimportanttoadopt low-carbondevelopmentstrategies, particularlythroughtheuseof renewableenergy.Energyisacrucial

issuefortheWestAfricanregion,asthe averagerateofaccesstoelectricityis only54%intheWAEMUregion,withgreat disparitybetweenurbanandruralareas Boostingaccesstoenergywillhelp achieveSDG7,whichaimstoensure equitableandreliableaccesstoclean energy.

Thisenergytransitionisachieved throughtheprovisionofso-calledgreen finance.Greenfinanceincludesallforms ofinvestmentorlendingthattakeinto accountenvironmentalimpactand strengthenenvironmentalsustainability (Lindenberg,2014).Greeninvestments aregenerallyorientedtowards mitigationstrategies(tolessen contributionstoclimatechange)or adaptationstrategies(tohelpdealwith theimpactsofachangingclimate)

Accesstogreenfinancingisamajor problemformanycountriesinWest Africatoday.Statisticsshowa considerablegapbetweenthelevelof financingactuallyreceivedandneeds expressed Basedonestimatesfrom ECOWAS,fundingof$340billionis neededovertheperiod2015-2030to

achievetheobjectivesoftheParis Agreement.Forexample,inCôted'Ivoire financeneededforthenationally determinedcontribution(NDC)are estimatedataround$22billion(MINEDD, 2022)whilefundsreceivedbyallSubSaharanAfricancountriesoverthe 2019/2020periodisonly$19billion (Buchneretal 2021)

Fewresourcesareavailablethatanalyze climatefinanceintheWAEMUregion anditslinktobroaderenergytransitions Availablestudieshavegenerally concernedtheCommunityofWest AfricanStates(ECOWAS)orSubSaharanAfricaingeneral(ECOWAS Commission,2020;Halimanjaya,2015; Robertsenetal.,2015).

Hereweseektoreducetheliterature gaponclimatefinanceandenergy transitions,andtoinformpolicymakers andacademicsonthecharacteristicsof climatefinancerelatedtomitigationin theWAEMUspace

Renewableenergyprojectsare generallyfinancedbyclimate-related funds,particularlyrelatedtomitigation.

WAEMUcountriesthathavereceivedthe mostclimatefinancingrelatedto mitigationtodateareCôted'Ivoire ($840.9million),BurkinaFaso($616.5 million)andSenegalwith$6007million

Thesefundshavegenerallybeen directedtowardsrenewableenergy projectssuchassolarenergyand energyefficiency Climatefinancing relatedtomitigationrepresentsatotal amountof$33billionduring2000-2020 periodfortheeight(8)WAEMU countries

Climatefinanceisdistributeddifferently acrossdifferentenergysectors.Electric powertransmissionanddistributioncentralizedgrids($1,12billion),energy policyandadministrativemanagement ($78969million),andsolarenergyfor centralizedgrids($655.11million)arethe sectorsthathavereceivedthemost climatefinancerelatedtomitigation. Hydropower($26587million)andother renewableenergygeneration($240.15 million)havealsoreceivedattentionfor mitigation-relatedfinancing.Inthe powergenerationsector,Côted'Ivoire ($278.33millions),Senegal($254.88 million),andBurkinaFaso($208.73 million)receivedthelargestvolumesof financing,withothercountriesinthe regionreceivingproportionallylower amountsinthissector.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

BURKINA FASO SENEGAL

Figure 1: Financing the energy transition in the WAEMU region (Data from OECD, 2000-2020)

©[mtcurado] via Canva.com

Forenergypolicyandadministrative management,Côted'Ivoire($407.7 million)dominatestheamountof mitigationfinancingreceived.Inthe areaofsolarenergyforcentralizedgrids, BurkinaFaso($285.3million)received themostfunding,whileNiger($20472 million)receivedthemostfundinginthe areaofhydro-electricpowerplants However,research,trainingand capacitybuilding,andwindenergyare amongtheareasthathavereceived lessattentionfromdonors

Giventheenormousenergy-related challengesthatremainintheregion, currentfinancinginitiativesremain belowexpectations.Theamounts neededtoachieveGoal7remain considerable,valuedtothetuneof billionsofUSdollars,whileallthefunding receivedformitigationorenergy transitionisaround$3.3billioninthe region(Figure2)

Theanalysisofclimatefinancing instrumentsrevealsthatdebt instrumentshavebeenthemostused

byWAEMUcountries.Thesedebt instrumentsaredividedinto concessionalandnon-concessional loans,withthelatterpredominating. Côted'Ivoire($6419million),Burkina Faso($414.95million)andSenegal ($36683million)arethemaindebt borrowersintheregionrelatingto financingtheirenergytransitions

Thesecondmostcommontypeof instrumentusedintheWAEMUregionis grants,whichhavemainlybeendirected toSenegal($233.85million),Burkina Faso($201.57million),Côted'Ivoire ($199.04million)andBenin($153.11 million).Grantsamountedto$1.12billion, whiledebtinstrumentstotaled$2.18 billion.Collectivefinancinginstruments weretheleastusedinthecontextof financingtheenergytransitionandare estimatedat$153,000 Suchdebt instrumentsareaconsiderableburden fordevelopingcountriessuchasthose intheWAEMU,asitreducestheirability toinvestinothereconomicsectorsdue inparttothedebtinterestburden.

Figure 2: Financing the energy sector in the WAEMU region (Data from OECD, 2000-2020)

Mahamadi Gaba ProGREEN Fellow, Mali & Senegal

Two Birds with One Stone: Recycling Waste for Green Energy

By:DiamondraRakotonirina

Energyavailabilityisakeyfactorinacommunity'sdevelopment.Butinlessdeveloped countries,themajorityofpeoplelivinginruralandperi-urbanareaslackaccessto cleanenergy,whetheritisforelectricityorforcooking.Wastemanagementisalsoa concernintheseareasduetoincreasingpopulationgrowth InTogo,in2020,theWorld Bankestimatedthatonly54%ofthepopulationhadaccesstoelectricity,andinrural areasthatfigurewasonly24%.Charcoalandwoodarethetwomainenergysources usedforcooking(UNFCCC,2017),andagricultureandlivestockhusbandryarethe mainlivelihoodsoftheTogolesepopulationinruralandperi-urbanareas.These activitiesgenerateorganicwastethatisnotyetsuccessfullybeingprocessed

Itiscrucialtoraiseawarenessaboutthepossibilityofawin-winsolutionfor addressingtheseissues.Utilizingorganicwastenotonlyhelpswithwaste

managementbyrecoveringit,butitalsoenables thecreationofbiogasthatcanbeusedfor electricityorcooking Theproductionofbiogasfrom organicwasteoffersacomprehensivesolutionfor solvingenergyproductionandwastemanagement problems.Indeed,thebiogasproducedthroughthe recyclingofagriculturalwaste(aprocessreferredto asmethanization)canbeusedforcookingorto produceelectricity Sinceorganicwasteismostly generatedbylivestockandagriculture,thissolution isbestsuitedforruralandperi-urbanareaswith highenergyneedsandaccesstoorganicwaste.

Methanization,ortheanaerobic digestionoforganicwaste,yields substancescalleddigestates,whichare biologicalfertilizersthatcansubstitute chemicalfertilizersinahealthy agriculturalsystem.Inadditionto addressingtheissueswithwaste managementandenergyaccess,this approachaddsvaluetoagriculture, makingitaviablealternativethat shouldbeproperlyutilized.Other renewableenergysourceslikewindand solarPVareconstrainedbytheir intermittentnature Asolutionforthese limitationsistheintegrationofbiogas technologyalongwiththeseother renewabletechnologies.

InWestAfrica,wecanlooktoBurkina FasoandSenegalasexamplesofthe promotionofdomesticbiogas.Through theNationalProgramofBiodigestersin BurkinaFaso(PNB-BF),asofApril30, 2021,14,443biodigestershadbeen installedinBurkinaFaso.The functionalityratefortheseinstallations isreportedtobe85%andtheyhave createdapproximately700jobs

InSenegal,thankstotheNational BiodigesterProgram(PNB-S),2,278 biodigestershavebeeninstalled, including2,216inhouseholdsand62in schools Thefunctionalityrateis36% and7,108jobshavebeencreated, including4,667permanentand2,333 seasonal.

Althoughthereisnodenyingthat biogastechnologyisaviableoption, just25biodigestershavebeendeployed inTogotodate TheAllianceforthe BiodigesterinWestandCentralAfrica (WCA-AB)encouragesallofits memberstosetuptheinfrastructure requiredfortheadvancementofthis technology

InSenegal,200to250tonnesofcow dung,animaloffal,andotherexcrement aretransformedintoenergyand biofertilizereachdayatSogas(Société degestiondesabattoirsduSénégal) Thisisaprojectresultingfroman agreementbetweenThecogasand Sogas.

©[12019] via Canva.com

©[alantobey] via Canva.com

ThecogaswithitsexpertisehelpsSogas tomanageorganicwastefromthe slaughterhousewhileproducinginternal energyataverycompetitiveprice comparedtothenationalutilityprice.

Thebiodigestercomprisesalarge machineconnectedtoa4000m3 digesterbyPVCgastubes.Itgenerates 1,500m3ofbiogaseverydayandisused tofuela100kWpowerplant Foritscold rooms,Sogasgetsalloftheenergyit needsfromthiswasterecyclingfacility. TheDakarslaughterhouseusually produces150carcassesofcattleand 1,200carcassesofsmallruminants (sheepandgoats) Priortothe establishmentofthisfacility,the slaughterhouse'sliquidwastewas dumpedintotheocean,significantly pollutingtheenvironmentthere,andits solidwastewasdumpednearby, emittingmethane,agreenhousegas thatis24timesmoredangerousthan carbondioxide.

Itcanproducereliablepower24/7by ensuringrawmaterialsareavailable, anditcanhandleintermittent renewableenergysuppliesthrough energystorageandflexibility.Biogas alsoallowsthecaptureanduseof methane,apotentgreenhousegasthat heavilycontributestoclimatechange.It alsomakesitpossibletorecover organicwasteanddivertitfromlandfill sites,tocontrolthegerminationofweed seeds,reducetheuseofherbicides,and eliminateodor-causingcompounds.

InTogo,biogastechnologydeservesto beexploredgiventheavailabilityof organicwastewhetherinrural,periurbanorevenurbanareas.Byselling organicfertilizers,agricultural organizationsandagrifoodprocessing businessescanusethistechnologyto managetheirwastemoreeffectively, becomeself-sufficientintermsof energy,andexpandtheiroperations. Stateofficials,includingwiththe DepartmentofResearchandEnergy Development(DRED)withintheMinistry ofMinesandEnergyofTogoaswellas theDepartmentofStudiesandPlanning (DSP)oftheMinistryofEnvironment, SustainableDevelopmentandNature ProtectionofTogo mustprovidea welcomingclimateforNGOsand investorsinterestedinpromotingbiogas inordertopopularizethistechnology andensurethateveryonehasaccessto inexpensivegreenenergyby2030.

Diamondra Rakotonirina ProGREEN Fellow Madagascar & Togo

OUR ORGANIC WASTE AS A CRISIS EXIT SOLUTION?

By: Dr. Lamine Ndiaye

Whostillremembersthepoem,ADream,writtenbyRenéFrançoisSullyPrudhomme?I recallithere,

A DREAM

The plowman told me in a dream:

Bake your bread, I no longer feed you, till the soil and plant. The weaver said to me: Make your clothes yourself And the mason said to me: Take your trowel in hand. Alone, from me the entire human race had fled. Leaving me to provide for everything I needed. And when I begged heaven for supreme mercy, I found lions blocking my path. I opened my eyes, wondering if the dawn was indeed here or was I still dreaming? Bold companions were up, whistling on their ladders, looms buzzed, and the fields were sown I knew my happiness and understood the fact that no one in the world today can claim to do without others. And ever since that day, I have loved them all.

Today,oftenwithadeviousspirit,we makethis“dream”ourownandwe translateitas:“seekself-sufficiencyinall things,theworldisnolongersufficiently equippedtotakechargeofeverything humanityneeds” Dangerouslions, namedCOVID-19andtheRussia/Ukraine Crisis,standallalongtheroute And alone,abandonedbyeveryone,Africais lookingforitselfandtryingtolivewith thesecombinedcriseswhichare growingincreasinglybitter.Theworld systemhasbecomecompletely unstructured:theworld'ssupermarketis completely"seizedup",makingworld trademoreexpensive.Thecostof internationaltransportismultipliedby threeorevenfour.Astheworldtriesto adapttothesechallengesonadaily basis,anothermoreperniciousoneis loomingonthehorizonanddeprivingthe worldofenergy.Petroleumproducts

aregettinghardertofind,andtheircosts arerisingacrossthecontinent.In additiontothescarcityofgas,thewheat thatwassupposedtofeedagoodpartof humanity,especiallyAfrica,isblockedin theportsofwar-torncountries These countriesrepresentnotonlythegranary ofthispartoftheearth,butalsotheir mainsupplieroffertilizers,especially chemicalones Worldleadershave thoughtofsanctioningoneofthe dangerouslionstosoftenhisposition, ignoringthatheisa“deaflion[1]”.Many havemovedintoitslair Somehavebeen listenedtoandfewhavebeenheard.The crisescarryon.

DuetotheconflictinUkraine,African nationsareunderpressurefromtheir relianceoncountrieslikeRussiaand Ukraineforfertilizer Indeed,thewarhas hamperedsuchshipmentseversince

theRussianinvasionofUkrainebeganinFebruary2022.Itshouldberemembered thatRussiarankssecondgloballyinphosphorusandpotassiumfertilizerexportsand istheworld'slargestexporterofnitrogenfertilizers.Belarusisanothersignificant supplieroffertilizerandisaRussianallythatisalsosubjecttoWesternsanctions.

Additionally,thetwocountriesexportpotash,anagriculturalfertilizer,atarateof morethan40%globally Thecrisishasresultedinrecord-highpricesforfuel,fertilizer, andothercommodities,andfertilizeravailabilityisnowamajorissueonaglobal scale Senegalisoneofthedevelopingnationsthatimportsatleast5%ofitsfertilizer fromRussia.TheWestAfricanFertilizerBusinessInformationGuide,which incorporatesdatafrom2021,emphasizesthesignificantincreaseinfertilizerprices between2020and2021withreferencetoprices.Thecostofatonofimportedurea hasincreased,infact,accordingtothisdata,from$319inSenegaland$475inNiger in2020to$652and$754respectivelyin2021.Theanswerisstraightforward:"The priceofureahasincreased,asithaselsewhere”[2] Governmentsarepreparingfor fertilizerandfoodshortagesinthecomingmonths.

LE LABOUREUR ET SES ENFANTS:

“Work hard, sweat all you can: Riches is what counts the least A rich farmer, sensing his impending death, Called for his children, and spoke to them without witnesses. Do not sell the inheritance left by our parents, he said, As a treasure is hidden in it. I do not know where, but with a bit of courage, You will find it, you will figure it out. Go search the field when summer ends Dig, scratch, plow, do not leave no earth unturned Anywhere your hands can reach. After the father’s death, the sons worked the field Everywhere, over and over again, so that within a JAEr It produced more than ever before There was no money to be found, but the father had been wise To show them before his death That work is a treasure ” -

Jean de La Fontaine

Thispoem,anencouragementtowork,is justasevocativeasthefirst Butwhat work?Aninvitationtoenvironmentally conscious,sustainableworkwherethe payoffcomesattheendoftheeffort,a taskthatinvolvesallofthesonsand daughtersoftheplowmanandleavesno onebehind,aninvitationtoinclusiveand responsibleparticipation

Evenifitisconsideredacalamity,this crisissituationisalsoanopportunityto transitiontoenergyandagro-ecological alternativesthataremorerespectfulof theenvironment Renewableenergies andorganicfertilizersarerapidly becominganalternative Theviewofthe worldonproductslikebiogasis changing,anditisnowperceivedasone ofthestrongestalternativesinthefieldof renewableenergies.ADutchcolleague toldmenotlongago:“Weareworkinga lotonanenergyalternative:ourfarms mustbecomeprofitableandsustainable byreducingmethane

emissions.Chemicalfertilizerhas becomeveryexpensive,weproduce morebiogasandthereforedigestate”. OurAfricanleadersshouldreflectonthe comparativeadvantagewehaveinthis area:howtoproducemore[3]biogas andorganicfertilizerwithalltheresidual organicproductswehave.Areal strategytoatleastmitigatethefull impactofwhatishappeningisto encouragetheuseoforganicfertilizers

Whatisneedednow?

Theunifyingthemeforourthoughtsand actionsishowtoaddvaluetoour organicwaste.Howtoturnbiological wasteintoausefulcommodity,butmost importantly,howtodecarbonizeour economy.Inthecirculareconomy,we arethecenterofgravity Everydaywe paraphraseLavoisier:“nothingislost, nothingiscreated,everythingis transformed”.Itremainstruethatforall thistobecomereality,itisnecessaryto train,inform,andaboveallconvince.

Trainyoungpeople,ourfutureleaders, onhowandwhytochangetheirmindset Newandexistingtrainingshouldnotonly notbetheoretical,butshouldalso providepathwaysforjobcreation. Unfortunately,rarelyhaveanyofthese bioenergysourcesbeenusedbythe studentswhograduatefromour renewableenergytraininginstitutions

Wewhohostthemforinternshipsinour businessesarealwaysawareofthis We evenwonderiftheirtrainershaveeverl seenone Theyhavetheirheadsfullbut theknow-howremainsachallengein theirintegrationintoourproductionunits Thepartnershipbetweenaschoolanda

businessforwork-studytrainingmight behelpful Ineveryothercase,experts mustbeincludedinthetrainingsessions. Thisiswhathasbeenundertakenby STARTthroughaskingustoshareour detailedknowledgeofanaerobic digestionduringtheProGREENFellowship program’stechnicalworkshops.

Informourpoliciesonwhatbiomass energycanbringtotheenergymix A largeemphasisisplacedonsolar photovoltaic Therefore,further explanationwillbeneededonhow bioenergy(methanizationand gasification)aresoconducivetothe economicandsocialdevelopmentofour countries.Thiswillincludethetopicof naturalautomobilebiogas,orBIOGNV, theuseofbiogasasacookingfuel,and thenumerousagriculturaladvantagesof organicfertilizersoverchemicalfertilizers

Convincebyexamplebyputtingatleast oneindustrialbiodigesterinallofour citiesandalongsidemajororganicwaste productionsites,includinginwholesale marketsandslaughterhouses

Thesearewaysinwhichthebiodigester isatthecenteroftwotransitions an energytransitionandanagroecological transition thatcanhelpusextract ourselvesfromtheseseverecriseswe face Givingbioenergytheattentionit deserveswouldbeextremelybeneficial forourso-calleddevelopingnations

Dr Lamine Ndiaye Sustainable Business for All (SB2-4ALL) Dakar, Senegal

Promoting Gains in Renewable Energy - West Africa

(ProGREEN) is a project implemented by START with support from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ).

ProSus is an e-magazine published by START International.

START provides opportunities for training, research, education and networking that strengthen scientific skills and inspire leadership for advancing solutions to critical sustainability challenges.

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