Photo 3; Delegates at Founders’ Friday on E-mobility and Circular Economy.
Today change is sweeping across the global economy as countries continue to recognize that the world must reduce its emissions to prevent climate change-induced catastrophes. As public opinion armed by relentless media coverage continues to push governments and big corporations to do the right thing (reduce their dependence on fossil fuels), it is a topic central to many formal and informal discussions.
As the debate rages, more people are placing their trust in markets and innovators than policymakers to deliver a net zero and more sustainable future that would make life more enjoyable and meaningful. Well, decarbonization will, however, create new opportunities-especially for first movers. This will require big commitments in terms of greenfield investment and could be a great opportunity for you but to assess it, you need to have a clear understanding of the key drivers and estimations.
The existing and emerging opportunities and a look at the growth estimations dominated the discussion of innovators during the Founders Friday on E-mobility and Circular Economy organized by the ICT Chamber as part of the Hanga Program pitch series in partnership with Norrsken House Kigali.
Current and emerging opportunities
Speaking of opportunities, LEANDRE BERWA Chief Executive Officer of SLS Energy, a startup that is leveraging the latent value of retired batteries by repurposing them said that the increased use of electronics itself is presenting diverse opportunities and today is the right time for anyone to engage him or herself with the circular economy.
“The increase in e-waste as a result of growth in the use of electronics and adoption of electronic mobility should not be a concern but an opportunity to scale up our domestic recycling capabilities,” Leandre said.
Synonymous with Leandre comments, DOREEN ORISHABA, Country Lead of BASIGO a startup that is committed to making public transport green reiterated the need for collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders in the value chain if the existing and emerging opportunities are to be maximized.
“For sustainability, for example as BASIGO we need to be connected and working closely with SLS Energy and EnviroServe to give our vehicle batteries a second life and help us to minimize waste,” Orishaba said.
The event was also graced by ROMALICE ISHIMWE, Chief Digital Officer at the Ministry of Infrastructure who commended the work of the innovators and entrepreneurs in the green economy and urged the audience to embrace the country’s 2050 net zero carbon target as an opportunity for innovation and green business.
“Innovators and entrepreneurs I am elated for you to choose to be front runners in this journey of decarbonization and searching for alternatives and to everyone here today going forward consider the 2050 net zero carbon target as a tinderbox of opportunities to transform our economy,” Ishimwe said.
Photo 3; Mr. Romalice Ishimwe, Chief Digital Officer at the Ministry of Infrastructure
Ishimwe also reiterated the government’s commitment to continue to support green-conscious development by creating a friendly and enabling regulatory and policy framework to spur innovations capable of making the net zero target a reality.
“We are ready as policymakers to play a proactive role in creating an environment that supports innovations that would enable the country to reduce its carbon footprint so we are in this together,” Ishimwe reiterated.
Rwanda has an ambition of becoming a net zero country by 2050 and reducing its emissions by 38 percent by 2030.