2023-06-14 14:45:12
In the countries of the South, access to energy is just as fundamental as access to water and vital needs. In Togo, a faulty electricity network pushes the 9 million inhabitants towards bad solutions which have consequences on their health (inhalation of fine particles on the coal stoves) and on global warming (destruction of forests for wood of heating).
To remedy this, Mivo Énergie, a local social enterprise, has been developing a network for the distribution and sale of solar lamps, gas stoves and energy-efficient stoves for ten years, with the support of the NGO Entrepreneurs du monde.
“Energy poverty is massive in Togo, confirms Jean-Luc Moutore, executive director of Mivo. In the countryside, 75% of homes are not connected to the electricity grid and 15% of farmers’ income is spent on heating. Mivo started from the concrete needs of the populations: equipment in stoves and hearths for the small businesses of the cities, lamps for the remote dwellings in rural areas, with low prices. »
A whole chain of values
The company has set up a value chain around energy, which starts from the manufacturers (stoves are manufactured in Lomé, the lamps are imported) to the final beneficiaries, passing through more than 500 equipment resellers. , who are also trained to make users aware of global warming.
Two other Togolese social enterprises supported by Entrepreneurs du Monde contribute to this chain: Miawodo, which accompanies the creators of small activities, such as resellers; and Assilassime, which grants them microcredits to buy the products.
More than 100,000 beneficiaries
Since 2013, Mivo’s action has benefited more than 100,000 people, small entrepreneurs (mainly women) as well as rural families. “The users of our stoves and hearths testify that they no longer have respiratory problems or burns, completes Meba Tassondi, head of development at Mivo. In the countryside, solar lamps allow children to continue studying after dark. » The use of cleaner energy also has a significant impact on the environment, with 211 tonnes of CO2 avoided and 256,000 tonnes of wood saved from cutting.
This year, Mivo must become an independent company, with the aim of reaching even more Togolese. It will continue to benefit from the support of Entrepreneurs du monde, a Lyon-based NGO which supports original projects in various regions of the planet, little funded by others.
Indispensable support
“This is why the support of solidarity finance is essential to us, points out Fathi Nouira, portfolio manager at Entrepreneurs du monde. For the twenty or so social enterprises that we help around the world, including the three in Togo, we need people who save over the long term and who want to act for the planet. »
Entrepreneurs du monde has two funds for this purpose: Solidarity Microfinance and Solidarity Investing. The know-how of the NGO, which is closer to the needs of local populations, is recognized in particular by several company savings funds, which finance it. A way for employees in France to help international solidarity projects.
#Togo #solidarity #finance #preserves #health #inhabitants #forest