Youth to Work in the Renewable Energy Sector

ENTERPRISE NAME, LOCATION

Equatorial Power, Uganda

What is your business model and mission for social impact?

Equatorial Power believes in achieving universal access to productive electricity and clean water in Africa over the next 10 years. Delivering the energy-water-food nexus is the key to a commercially viable, scalable and consumer-facing business model that can accelerate the delivery of productive energy in rural areas.

14% of the global population (about 1.2 billion people) are without electricity access, 580 million of those are in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Large numbers of rural households, businesses and industries rely on unsustainable and highly polluting fuels, which negatively affects public health. Solar energy is an attractive solution for rural electrification due to its ubiquity and abundance.

For this reason, Equatorial Power, through its pool of experts, offers a large range of services in the renewable energy sector, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, to accelerate the universal access to energy and/or the neutralization of carbon emissions.

How did you find out about Youth to Work? What inspired you to apply to Youth to Work rather than another business development programme?

We received a notice from Standard Chartered (one of our banks and one of the financiers of the program) last year and this is the second edition we participated in.

What were you worried about?

We expected to find an enthusiastic person who is fast learning and willing to play their role and able to interact freely with the rest of the team. The only worry was finding a person who was too shy or not proactive.

Describe your work with the Junior Associate

What were the main areas of support where you required support from the JA?

We needed the Junior Associate who would post journal entries on the company’s work in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. We also needed help dispersing cash to the team in the field, managing petty cash and support in office management.

What did you learn about your business from working with your Junior Associate?

The junior associate reviewed the analysis done by the previous associate. In particular, this was focused on weaknesses that hadn’t yet seen an improvement.

How do you think your enterprise will change after Youth to Work?

Yes, it will change as the Junior Associate’s presentation and report pointed out a new way to solve problems on recurring issues that we had been blind to.

The programme

Did you find the Youth to Work business clinics for business owners helpful?

Yes, the business clinics educated us on: growth strategy, accounting/finance, financial risk management, and inventory management.

Which did you find most practical and applicable for your organization?

The business finance program that was organized in partnership with UGEFA.

Do you see the Challenges Youth to Work programme as having a positive impact on your economy/community?

The Youth to Work programme increased productivity in the department in which they worked. Junior Associates provide an extra set of hands that can often help accomplish company or project goals.

Recommendations

Would you recommend a Challenges Worldwide Youth to Work placement to other enterprises? Yes/No: Why?

Yes, because the associate brought a concrete contribution to the company and a job has been offered.

Thinking ahead

Has CW Youth to Work changed your perception of young people in the workplace?

The company was always open to young and talented people, so our perception was just confirmed in this case