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| | | Title | PATRICK NGOWI: A SUCCESSFUL TANZANIAN YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR IN SOLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS | | Author | ACBF | | Subject | Entreprenurship | | Date of Publication | 2017061 | | Publisher | African Community of Practice on Management for Development result at the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) | | Number of Pages | 8 pages | | Language | English | | Geographical Coverage | Tanzania | | Keywords | Young Entreprenurship, Entreprenurship and Solar Energy, Mobile Phones and Solar Lambs | | Abstract | Access to energy is largely recognized as a prerequisite for the majority of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals but is still one of the major challenges facing African countries. This case study features Patrick Ngowi, a successful young Tanzanian entrepreneur who built a multi-million dollar business from solar energy – one of Africa’s most lucrative but unexplored business opportunities. Key findings: Ngowi’s company – Helvetic Solar – has installed more than 6,000 small rooftop solar systems in Tanzania and four other East African countries – Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi making millions of dollars in annual revenue. Patrick Ngowi is also actively involved in philanthropy through Light for Life Foundation which he created with the vision to install 100,000 solar kits for rural electrification throughout Tanzania. Ngowi's inspirational story has been featured and profiled on many international platforms and media such as CNN, BBC and Forbes. Main lessons: This success story revealed the business and job opportunity in the solar energy sector for poverty alleviation and improving lives of African people. It is also indicative of the capacity of young people to develop successful businesses and create jobs and wealth. Finally, the case study showed that local entrepreneurs and business men and women can become local philanthropists and reduce dependence on external donors. Main recommendations: The study calls for African countries and institutions to support and promote social entrepreneurs in key sectors like energy by establishing appropriate policies and building capacities of entrepreneurs. Specifically, tax reduction policies are necessary to promote innovative business models that target populations with low purchase power. | | Copyright Holder | African Community of Practice (AfCoP) | | Copyright URL | http://www.acbf-pact.org | | Filesize | 557928 MB | | File Format | PDF | | [ View / download original document ] |
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