On Thursday March 7, 2024, the EDF Pulse Africa Awards ceremony took place in Paris, rewarding the winners of the 5th edition, in the presence of Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of the EDF Group. The start-ups Diwa Innovation, Atarec and Data 354 stood out from the 6 finalists who qualified following the EDF Pulse Africa Tour pre-selection campaign covering the 5 regions of the African continent.
Three prizes were awarded to African start-ups and SMEs offering innovative solutions in three categories: Decentralised Low-Carbon Generation, Energy Efficiency and Low-Carbon Consumer Solutions, and Decarbonisation through Digital Solutions.
First place went to Diwa Innovation (Cameroon): this start-up designs energy self-sufficient fridges (terracotta and solar PV). It also received the "Coup de Coeur du Jury" award, in partnership with HEC Paris, for personalised support from the HEC West Africa Hub.
In second place, two ex aequo, Atarec (Morocco): this start-up produces renewable energy for ports and their vicinity at competitive costs via the "Wave Beat" technology patented in 70 countries and Data 354 (Ivory Coast): this start-up identifies biomass deposits by analysing satellite imagery.
Finally, the start-up Knights Energy won the jury's "coup de boost" award for its partnership with EDF Kenya.