Four Kenyan companies have received a boost of Ksh58 million (USD400,000) from the United States' Power Africa programme to help female farmers gain access to clean energy.
Power Africa, which works in tandem with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced that it had selected the four companies for their practices in promoting female-led projects.
The four beneficiaries are Agsol which is expected to offer a pay-as-you-use financing solution for solar-powered mills and Ecobora which is expected to equip its 30 rural solar-powered kiosks with refrigerators. The refrigerators are expected to help women store and sell goods.
Additionally, Rafode, a microfinance institution, plans to utilize the funds to offer lease-to-own contracts for products such as water pumps. Lastly, Sidai intends to introduce a new business line of solar-powered mills tailored for poultry farmers.
Power Africa observed that whereas female farmers were increasing, they were also faced with challenges of asset ownership largely due to some cultures and practices.
"Female smallholder farmers play an increasingly important role, with a trend suggesting that Kenya’s share of female farmers is growing as men seek employment in cities," Power Africa revealed during the unveiling.
"Yet female farmers have lower rates of asset ownership, and many find it difficult to afford supplies for their farms. Familial responsibilities can mean that women have less time to travel to attend events such as product demonstrations and information sessions for farmers."
The organization further indicated that the grants aim to introduce innovations to enhance the affordability of productive energy technology for women, raise awareness of its benefits, and assist women in developing business skills.
Power Africa had earlier awarded grants amounting to Ksh98 million ($670,000) to five solar energy companies in Liberia.
The organisation's goal was to help more people own and use productive appliances powered by renewable energy.
Some of the beneficiaries included EcoPower to expand franchises in Liberia, Liberian Energy Network Two to scale a solar-powered fishing light project, and Liberia Engineering & Geo-Tech Consultants to finance solar-crop dryers.
Power Africa is a US Government-led partnership whose goal is to expand electricity connections across Sub-saharan Africa.
