Solar agriculture project to create 17,000 jobs in Nigeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day Nigeria
A solar-powered agricultural greenhouse project is expected to create or improve livelihoods for 17,000 young people, particularly women, in Nigeria. The programme is being carried out with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and the Mastercard Foundation, according to Business Day Nigeria.
A solar-powered greenhouse project in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria, is expected to create and improve the livelihoods of 17,000 young people, particularly women, through increased participation in agriculture and agribusiness activities. Chianda Njogu, director of Powering Opportunity in Africa at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), announced the target on Monday during a visit to the site operated by MANAMUS Electric in Ugwuomu-Nike, in Enugu East district.
The project is being carried out under the Energising Women and Youths in Agrifood Systems (EWAS) programme, a partnership between GEAPP and the Mastercard Foundation. Its implementation in Nigeria involves RMI and MANAMUS Electric, among others, while the programme also covers Ethiopia, according to Chianda Njogu.
GEAPP wants to use access to reliable energy to support economic activities, employment and improved living conditions, beyond simply reducing energy poverty. The greenhouse is therefore intended to link agricultural production, solar energy and the development of agribusinesses, Njogu explained.
