The seven winners of the 2024 Ashden Awards have been announced – with African climate innovators claiming every international category.
Four African organisations – two from Uganda, one from Nigeria and one from Tanzania – are being announced as winners at London Climate Action Week (22-30 June). The organisations have been recognised for their work restoring nature and powering up clean, affordable energy. Three more prizes are being given in UK-focused categories.
These top low carbon innovators will be honoured in a ceremony at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London on 27 June. Award Winners will receive a grant of up to £25,000 and publicity, including connection to funders, investors and climate sector leaders.
African winners of the Ashden Awards include GOGO Electric from Uganda, which upskill workers in the e-mobility sector, Patapia also in Uganda, which helps displaced women living in refugee camps to take out affordable loans to buy clean solar energy products, Salpha Energy in Nigeria, which produce in-Africa solar home systems and upskill workers, particularly women, and Ujamaa Community Resource Team in Tanzania, which work with pastoralists and other indigenous groups to defend their land rights, and earn a sustainable living in the face of climate change. All winners have a strong focus on supporting women and young entrepreneurs.
Winners were chosen from among 500 applicants by panels of expert judges including academics, business leaders, investors and journalists. The Ashden Awards were launched in 2000 and honour innovators from the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Ashden CEO Dr Ashok Sinha said: “Made-in-Africa solutions are addressing some of the continent’s biggest challenges. Challenges like creating good jobs and preparing communities for the growing danger posed by extreme weather. These solutions are crafted with and for communities: that’s one reason they’ve been so successful.
“The power of African innovation is there for all to see. Now I urge politicians and investors from every corner of the world to get behind these solutions. Doing so will drive green economic growth, and address the fact that Africa’s communities face the greatest climate dangers – despite bearing least responsibility for the climate crisis.”
