Local solar innovation lights up COP28
Baboki Kayawe | Monday December 11, 2023 15:15
Liphi was crowned the winner in a ceremony held at the Egyptian Pavilion at Expo2020, the COP28 venue in Dubai on Sunday.
The award distinguishes Liphi’s invention, which is a compact backpack, made from durable, waterproof canvas, and includes an integrated solar panel which absorbs and stores sunlight during the day for use later at night. It has an LED light which the developer says can last up to seven hours.
The company currently has so far expanded operations to South Africa and Rwanda.
In his acceptance speech, Liphi said recognition by the Egyptian government at the Africa Goes Green Awards will upscale global production of his product.
He said the Chedza solar backpack aims to mitigate emissions to address digital and technological inequalities.
“We were availing access to electricity for rural area learners to bridge the gaps between them and those in urban areas. “The innovation is also meant to eliminate the use of kerosene which emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,” he said.
The backpack has since stretched across to other markets including businesspeople and others, Liphi did not shy away from maximizing the marketing mileage of the international stage to promote the innovation.
“Even if you are from neighbouring South Africa where power outages are common, you can buy this bag to use to light up your household and charge,” he said.
Liphi will be heading to an adaptation summit in Egypt where prospects of partnerships and way forward will be explored.
“I am overwhelmed by this recognition and I would like to appreciate my team for work well done. “This is the beginning of great collaborations and taking the innovation further to the world,” said Liphi.
Environment and Tourism minister, Philda Kereng, who officiated at the ceremony, said the awards present an opportunity for Africa to spread initiatives and seek convergence amongst continental efforts to collectively harness innovative solutions. She recommended utilisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an invaluable initiative to break borders within the continental trade model.
“Now for the private sector, my call is ‘let us support our young innovators,’” she said. “These young people need structured funding which they can easily access and utilise. “They also need technical support. “I am very excited about these young people and I am actually going back home to drive an even stronger support network for them.”
Still at the event, Egyptian officials stressed that the primary goal of the awards is to help the climate change entrepreneurship ecosystem develop intra-regional investment opportunities. This is being done through establishing cross sector networking and linkages with potential partners, investors and customers in Africa and the Middle East region.
Speaking at the award ceremony, CEO of Canal Sugar, Dr Kamel Abdallah commended Botswana for connecting the universities, public and private sectors, saying this was vital collaboration for unlocking economic opportunities and growth.
*This article is part of reportage on COP28, produced in partnership with MESHA and IDRC. Kayawe is a development communicator with an interest in science and climate journalism. She has taken keen interest in climate change as it is an existential threat to Africa and the continent’s development aspirations. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Natural Resources Management and Participatory Development Communication with the Okavango Research Institute, Kayawe hopes to be among the contributors of solution-based climate journalism