Today, 7 students from the Master in Sustainability and Energy Management at Bocconi University (MASEM) presented the final results of the Bocconi field project. RES4Africa is proactively emphasising the role of youth in Africa's energy transition, tailoring its projects and initiatives to meet the needs of younger generations through its youth workstream.

Among these initiatives, the field project with Bocconi University stands out as a significant example. For the third time, a team of MASEM students collaborated with experts from RES4Africa and its network on selected research topics. This year's theme, "Africa and Youth Innovation," led the students to conduct a Market Intelligence analysis on two of the three entrepreneurs who won the 2023 Young Talent of the Year Award: Diana Mbogo and Lèandre Berwa.

Diana, Founder and Managing Director of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd, and Lèandre, Co-Founder of SLS Energy, are leading innovative projects that highlight the potential of renewable energy solutions in Africa. Diana's female-founded company aims to transform the sardine fishing industry on Lake Victoria by using solar-powered fishing lamps and drying services to reduce carbon emissions and post-harvest losses. Lèandre's startup repurposes retired electric vehicle batteries for energy storage, providing cost-effective power backup solutions while ensuring circularity and extending battery lifespan.

The students conducted a market intelligence research on the two startups, analysing their competitors, markets, and development possibilities, and they virtually met with the entrepreneurs. The final recommendations spanned from geographical expansion to scaling up services along their value chain.

Ultimately, this field project underscores RES4Africa's growing commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. Through  RAISEAfrica - Renewables Accelerators for Innovative Startups and Entrepreneurs in Africa— RES4Africa is empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector across the continent, supporting Africa's sustainable energy transition and driving economic growth by promoting youth-led solutions.