The Energy Empowers East Africa (EEEA) program recognizes the surplus energy capacity in the East African region and focuses on targeted interventions for women-led enterprises, who often operate smaller businesses. The program includes activities related to the Efficient and Productive Use of Electricity (EPUE) that leverage electricity to create economic and social opportunities, such as powering equipment for production and providing essential services. By addressing barriers like limited access to skills training and cultural attitudes, EEEA seeks to improve women's access to electricity for lighting, refrigeration, and other productive uses in their enterprises.
USAID and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have collaborated to develop this program, which includes community surveys, educational materials, entrepreneurial skill development, market access, and financing support. The program has developed a pilot project in Uganda with local partner Clean Energy Enthusiasts (CEE). The pilot focuses on understanding women's energy needs and promoting the efficient and productive use of electricity, while offering comprehensive training modules to equip women entrepreneurs with essential business skills for growth.
Amanda Valenta-Deputy Division Lead, Energy and Infrastructure Division, USAID
Oscar D. Ankunda- Energy Specialist, USAID Uganda
Andrew Fang-Energy Advisor at USAID
Stephane de la Rue du Can-Program lead, Energy Efficiency for Development
Alberto Diaz-Gonzalez Program Manager, Energy Efficiency for Development
Ingrid Xhafa, Scientific Engineering Associate
Richard Nuwagaba
CEO, Clean Energy Enthusiasts, Oversight and Supervision
Cindy Nkwanzi
Local Team Lead
Ronald Tumwesigye
PUE Business and Finance Specialist
Additional Clean Energy Enthusiasts support
Abdeel Kyezira, RE Specialist
Racheal Nyagato, Project Engineer
Bernard Mugisha, Legal Specialist
Henry Beyendeza, Comms Expert
Harriet Achieng, Gender Specialist
Empowered 240 Entrepreneurs with Tailored Training and site visits. Participants received certificates of completion.
Created a portfolio of training manuals, that could be used for future educational purposes
Demonstrated the Viability of Electric Equipment in comparison to manual ones to help abate cultural misconceptions
Developed and disseminated customized, local specific, promotional materials
Women-led businesses, especially those involved in agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, often rely on electricity for activities like crop processing, refrigeration, and machinery operation.
By empowering women with access to clean and efficient energy, business training, and financial literacy, they can optimize their enterprises.
This training can not only help boost economic growth and gender equality, but can also create a positive feedback loop where enhanced electricity production further supports the expansion of women-led businesses.