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Liberia

EnDev Liberia operates not only in Liberia, but also in Sierra Leone and Guinea. The three countries have a combined population of 25 million and belong to the poorest countries in the world. Very few people have access to electricity, especially among the rural population. Petrol or diesel generators are often used for power supply while kerosene, battery lamps or candles are mainly used for lighting. Most of the population depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking needs. Thus, there is significant potential for the use of renewable energy – particularly for improved cookstoves and solar energy. In the latter sector, EnDev focuses on social institutions and productive use and has developed an innovative sustainability approach for the about 1,000 health and educational facilities supported by the project pioneering IT based monitoring.

Technologies used in this project

  • Alternative-fuel cooking
  • Improved cookstoves
  • Solar mini-grids
  • Stand-alone systems

Country data

  • People with access to electricity: 127,107*
  • People with access to improved cooking: 30,961*
  • SMEs with access to modern energy services: 1,679*
  • SIs with access to modern energy services: 688*
  • *Target achievements until December 2022
An app for health and safety

Approach

Sustainable solar energy

EnDev is involved in the installation of solar systems for health facilities and schools. The team provides technical support and maintains a hotline for repairs. It is also a pioneer in the introduction of solar systems for offices and petrol stations as well as for mini-grids.

In collaboration with partners like the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) and private sector associations such as the Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL), EnDev works towards strengthening retailers and overcome market obstacles to promote solar products. Collaborating with local NGOs, EnDev empowers small businesses to start selling solar products and to create employment opportunities.

A wide range of marketing activities, such as energy fairs or road shows, are supported. With the ‘solar vehicle’ equipped with solar panels from EnDev Liberia, music can be played, movies shown, popcorn offered and, at the same time, information can be provided about renewable energy and products.

EnDev developed a solar dryer in cooperation with local cooperatives. They dry the beans more quickly and improve the quality of the harvested cocoa, thus helping to boost the farmers’ incomes.

Improved cooking technologies

EnDev supports the development, construction and marketing of improved stoves. In Liberia, local metal workers were trained to produce the Red Fire Pot that saves 50 percent of fuel compared to a traditional coal pot. In Sierra Leone, EnDev cooperates with the biggest local producer of improved cook stoves – the Wonder Stove. EnDev conducts tests and also improves institutional stoves, for example for school kitchens.

Strengthening expertise

A key field of activities for EnDev Liberia is to share technical expertise to build capacities for sustainable renewable energy use. The trainings and workshops are demand-driven and tailored to the needs of the target group. Examples of trainings include basic solar technology, repair of solar lanterns, curriculum development, advanced solar technology, trainings in the field of improved cook stoves and solar dryers.

EnDev develops IT solutions to strengthen the renewable energy sector. A smartphone app is used to collect data that is archived, analysed and visualised. Websites created by EnDev serve as platforms for the different stakeholders to exchange ideas, cooperate and bring about mutually reinforcing effects in the sector.

Learn more about EnDev´s approach
A Liberian woman is washing her hands in an outside sink.
A Liberian woman washing her hands: Running water thanks to solar electricity.

Impact

Until mid-2017 aprox. 69.000 people, 790 institutions and 2.000 enterprises received access to modern energy services through the impact of the project activities. Reducing energy poverty has a positive impact on social and economic life, for example, on education and healthcare, on living and working conditions, security, gender equality, environmental protection and food.

Until mid-2017 aprox. 69.000 people, 790 institutions and 2.000 enterprises received access to modern energy services through the impact of the project activities. Reducing energy poverty has a positive impact on social and economic life, for example, on education and healthcare, on living and working conditions, security, gender equality, environmental protection and food.

Energy Access through Demand-Side Subsidies

Funded by the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EnDev’s Energy Access through Demand-Side Subsidies component seeks to develop and pilot Demand Side Subsidy (DSS) mechanisms to facilitate access to modern energy services for vulnerable populations who are currently unable to access commercial off-grid solar and cooking markets.

In Liberia, the DSS pilot aims to enable access to quality off-grid solar products and foster market expansion in vulnerable, hard-to-reach counties. DSS will be conducted through a jointly-implemented RBF facility in partnership with the Government of Liberia’s Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) and the World Bank.

Go to project page

Download the DSS Liberia Factsheet

Further information

Other projects

  • Malawi

    EnDev works to enhance a financially sustainable market for improved cookstoves. A results-based financing scheme supports rural sales agents.

  • Kenya

    EnDev promotes improved cookstoves, its partner SNV facilitates access to off-grid electricity. Both sectors are supported with results-based financing projects.

  • Mozambique

    EnDev supports grid densification and trains participants of the solar products market. On top of that, it strengthens improved cookstove entrepreneurs.