Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) has launched a one-stop-shop platform promoting and engineering energy solution awareness to bridge the power shortage in the country.
The platform, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), is an in-depth information website that provides a renewable energy value chain and also assists those in need of alternative energy consultation. It also provides information on renewable energy options, including solar power, financing options, installers and offers opportunities for individuals and businesses to explore solutions and connect with experts in the field.
Speaking during the platform’s launch at CADEF’s office in Magodo, Lagos, Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF, said the website was created after a rigorous research, noting that it is a silo of information on renewable energy solutions.
According to her, “The essence of this website, der.cadefng.org, is for the people to understand that Nigeria indeed is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources. They are- solar, wind, hydro and biomass that can be harnessed to scale up its energy supply and achieve universal energy access, energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for climate change mitigation.
“The Nigerian government has set a target of generating at least 30% of the country’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. While this goal may be ambitious, CADEF is working to promote awareness and adoption of renewable energy solutions”.
“When it comes to renewable energy, people think it is just the solar energy. The fact is that, there are solar cookers, there are solar hot waters, and solar energy. People can go for whichever they need, according to their pocket and what they can afford.
Okafor explained that the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) website is not only about telling the benefits of renewable energy, it gives adequate information about the opportunities people have to approach financial institutions, because some of them give out loans at an affordable interest rate that you can take and pay as you go. There are also lease options, there is pay-as-you-go and there is part-payment; so you figure out what your pocket can take, you cannot afford everything.”
In her words: “Our target is that, in the next three months, between 20,000 and 30,000 people would have visited the site. We want them to say, yes, I went to the website and I have learnt something I never knew before. Out of this number, at least, 20 percent of them would say it makes sense to begin to look into having renewable energy as the source of my energy supply. My hope is that this information will go far and wide.”
On CADEF’s commitment to youth empowerment, Okafor highlighted some laudable steps already taken by the Foundation. She said CADEF has a strategic partnership with Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA) with the aim to expand green innovation and youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
“Youth unemployment remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, with over 53% of young people aged 15-35 unemployed or underemployed.
“This collaboration will bring JLA’s renowned Greenlabs incubation program to Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in efforts to foster youth-centered green solutions, climate innovation, and sustainability across West Africa.
“The green economy offers a promising solution, with the potential to create millions of jobs while addressing environmental challenges. The International Labour Organization estimates that 24 million jobs worldwide could be created by the green economy by 2030 alone. Recognizing this opportunity, CADEF is expanding its role in the economy by launching an incubator focused on promoting entrepreneurship among Nigerian youth, particularly in the green sector, Okafor explained.
Fingreen Financial Literacy Programme which was launched in August 2023 which CADEF is a key implementing partner, equipped over 800 Nigerian youths with essential financial knowledge and skills, empowering them to navigate today’s complex economic landscape. In a similar vein, CADEF is currently advancing the Digital Financial Services project, which is training over 100 People with Disabilities (PWDs), including visually and hearing-impaired Nigerian youths.
This project aims to enhance financial inclusion and independence by providing critical digital financial literacy skills and advocating for stronger policies to support their needs. Building on these successes, CADEF is now strategically focusing on the green economy as a powerful avenue to further empower Nigerian youth.
CADEF’s Executive Director disclosed that CADEF and JLA will establish greenlabs in Nigeria, an early-stage startup 9-month incubation program designed to support young entrepreneurs in building scalable green ventures. The program will begin with the Renewable Energy Innovation Challenge – Lagos Edition, inviting young innovators to propose solutions that leverage renewable energy technologies to combat climate change and improve energy access.
CADEF has a mission to promote a fair and humane society through enhanced consumer protection, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and empowerment to strengthen sustainable economic growth, unveiled a website, distributed energy resources der.cadefng.org, designed as a one stop shop information sharing website on distributed energy.
The Foundation is collaborating with government agencies, such as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Power, to promote the adoption of renewable energy solutions, and is also committed to promoting awareness and adoption of renewable energy solutions, particularly among rural communities.
