What is the African Clean Energy Project?
African Clean Energy (ACE) is a B-Corp certified enterprise dedicated to enabling decentralized access to clean energy for rural households in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The project centers on the ACE One Energy System, a proprietary solution that combines future-proof hardware, smart digital infrastructure, and responsive physical support to deliver clean thermal and electric energy at an affordable cost. With ACE, off-grid communities in regions such as Lesotho, Uganda, and Cambodia gain access to renewable energy solutions that not only light up their homes but also pave the way for sustainable cooking solutions and reduced reliance on traditional fuels. It’s a breakthrough approach that intersects clean energy, solar energy, and clean cooking with a very human touch… truly innovative!
Main Benefits of the ACE One
The ACE One project has already demonstrated significant benefits for its users. The impact on communities is evident in the following key figures and facts:
- 95% of customers interviewed have stopped buying paraffin.
- 63% of customers interviewed now exclusively use clean energy.
- 83% average savings on energy expenses.
- 59% of customers interviewed say they no longer need to spend money on energy.
- B-Corp score of 179.8, reflecting its robust commitment to social and environmental goals.
Innovative Hardware Solutions
The cornerstone of the project is the ACE One itself—a solar-biomass hybrid energy system that has been carefully designed to meet the energy needs of isolated households. The hardware is engineered to efficiently burn any dry solid biomass fuel—ranging from animal waste and crop residue to small sticks—thereby reducing the need for unsustainably harvested wood fuel. This unique blend of biomass and solar energy technology results in a system that provides both electrical and thermal energy while emitting negligible levels of smoke. In other words, the ACE One not only cuts costs by allowing the use of low-cost LED light attachments and fast phone charging capabilities, but also significantly enhances the health of its users by reducing exposure to harmful emissions… It truly is a modern, all-in-one energy solution.
Smart Digital and Physical Infrastructure
Supporting the hardware is an intelligent digital infrastructure designed to enhance user convenience and service reliability. Since 2019, the ACE One has been equipped with ‘smart’ capabilities, enabling users to connect to their smartphone and leverage the ACE Connect app. This integration allows the system to be switched off remotely, offering flexibility with loan repayments and reducing financial risks. Meanwhile, data collection and service utilization tracking are made simpler through this android integration. On the ground, a robust physical infrastructure backs the technology—skilled maintenance teams support customers during product malfunctions, and proactive sales teams demonstrate the product in local communities. Additionally, the expansion of mobile retail shops further reinforces continuous access to clean energy products and services, and this physical push is supported by co-funding from the European Union.
Addressing the Energy Challenge
The energy challenge tackled by ACE is immense. An estimated 2.6 billion people lack access to modern, clean energy, forcing them to rely on open fire cookstoves that emit dangerous levels of smoke. This results in widespread Household Air Pollution (HAP) with severe health implications—over 4 million people in the developing world lose their lives each year due to diseases linked to HAP. Most of the affected are women who face the brunt of these consequences. Moreover, traditional fuels lead to significant environmental degradation. With 21% of global black carbon emissions attributed to residential fuel burning, especially from unsustainable wood harvesting in Africa, the need for change is urgent. ACE presents a solution by providing an off-grid system that drastically reduces smoke emissions and fosters renewable energy use… It’s a clear example of how technology can intersect with environmental and social needs.
Future Prospects and Social Impact
Beyond its technical achievements, ACE underscores a broader vision—a world where clean energy and connectivity are accessible to everyone, irrespective of geographic or economic barriers. The mission of African Clean Energy is to eliminate the worst forms of poverty on a platform of clean energy and smartphone technology. As a B-Corp, the enterprise reinvests a large portion of its profits into its social mission, ensuring community benefits extend well beyond mere energy provision. The project not only results in immediate savings and improved quality of life for its users, but its ripple effects also promote better health outcomes and environmental sustainability. The consistent transition from paraffin to ACE One and the increased exclusive use of clean energy systems speak volumes about the project’s transformative societal impact.
Project Impact and Linked SDGs
- SDG 1: No Poverty – By reducing energy costs and providing affordable solutions.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – By minimizing harmful emissions and reducing household air pollution.
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Through decentralizing energy access with smart technology.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – By cutting carbon emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – By easing deforestation pressures through sustainable biomass use.
Expanding Clean Energy Horizons
Looking towards the future, the ACE project continues to innovate and expand its reach into underserved areas. With a blend of cutting-edge technology and practical on-the-ground support, the initiative is well-positioned to further revolutionize clean energy access in Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Its approach of combining smart digital interfaces with reliable physical services sets a new standard for off-grid energy systems in the solar power generation industry. As the journey progresses, the consistent integration of community feedback and technological updates helps to refine services further, ensuring that each step forward is as impactful as the last. The vision of accessible, renewable energy is steadily becoming a reality, thanks to the determination and innovative spirit that drives African Clean Energy every single day.
