Funded! Dieses Projekt hat das Fundraising erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Description
Description
Short description
Africa is not only Europe's neighboring continent, but also the world region with the strongest population and economic growth. These and other reasons make Africa the boom continent of the future. The increase in economic growth goes hand in hand with the increase in demand for electricity. In this context, forecasts show that demand for energy in Africa could double by 2040. As of today, 500 million people in Africa still have no access to electricity.
Affordable electric power is the key to building a modern economy, which today is based in particular on digital infrastructure and telecommunications services. A reliable power supply enables existing and new companies in all sectors to increase their efficiency and tap into additional markets at home and abroad.
High electricity prices for commercial and industrial customers coupled with frequent, often prolonged power outages that have to be bridged with very expensive diesel generator power is a serious problem for companies in Africa. In addition, the demand for electricity in Africa is increasing by 6-7% p.a.. And this at an average electricity cost of 0.15 - 0.25 US $/kWh (depending on region and consumption). For comparison: In Germany, industrial customers pay between 0.21 and 0.26 US $/kWh, depending on consumption).
In contrast, the average cost of electricity from diesel generators is between US$0.50 - US$0.80, which is much higher. And fuel prices are likely to continue to rise in the coming years, further improving the economics in favor of renewables. But not only the cost argument speaks against diesel generators but especially the environmental pollution caused by them.
Africa is the continent with the world's richest solar resources. But with only 1% installed PV capacity, the potential for green solar power in Africa is still virtually untapped.
Barriers to the use of solar include lack of financing options due to very high interest rates, little expertise, and no or little experience with solar energy.
EWIA offers solutions to harness solar power. With its Solar-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, EWIA enables commercial and industrial customers to produce their own solar power for a fixed monthly fee (flat rate). EWIA is also active in the construction of infrastructure projects such as solar-powered cellular infrastructure and solar-based automatic traffic monitoring systems.
Customer benefit
Hardly any time expenditure, no own investment costs and only low running costs, because the electricity cost savings cover the monthly Solar-as-a-Service-Rate (Flatrate). After 7-12 years, EWIA customers own their solar system.
Potential customers
Companies with high electricity consumption and high electricity costs, e.g. private schools and universities, hospitals, manufacturing industries, service companies and companies in the beverage and food industries, etc.
Top reasons for an investment
EWIA solves three major problems for customers:
- Replacing expensive, unsafe grid power and even more expensive polluting diesel power with solar power
- Plannable and stable electricity costs for companies (monthly flat rate)
- Full-service solution from needs and cost analysis to plant operation
Benefits for investors:
- EWIA enables participation in the Africa megatrend
- Risk diversification through portfolio approach and different countries
- Create real impact and shape the future even with small contributions
About EWIA Green Investments GmbH
The concept of EWIA was developed in 2019. After one year of preparation, EWIA Green Investments GmbH was founded in Munich in February 2020.
Despite massive restrictions by Corona, EWIA Green Investments West Africa Ltd. was founded in October 2020 as a subsidiary in Accra, Ghana. In 2021/22, first PV projects were successfully implemented and additional ones were acquired.
In parallel, the first cell towers were built in Ghana. The successful pilot phase resulted in the establishment of EWIA Infrastructure Ltd. as a second company (joint venture) in Ghana in 2021. In addition to the pure solar sector for commercial customers, EWIA has thus created a second product line and entry into an industrial sector - infrastructure measures and telecommunications in conjunction with PV.
Team
Our complementary management team combines long-standing, business and family ties in Africa - including >20 years in Ghana - with strong experience in the solar industry and in investment, corporate finance, M&A and international transactions.
EWIA also has an international board of directors with many years of entrepreneurial experience in various industries, especially in the financial and solar industries.
Ralph Schneider
CEO, Co-Founder
Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Fugger
Director West Afrika, Co-Founder
Timo Schäfer
CFO, Co-Founder
Nana Kwadwo Adu-Boateng
MD EWIA West Africa, Ghana Sales Director
Frank Mensah
MD EWIA Infrastructure, Ghana Operational Director
Currently, EWIA has 12 permanent employees, plus several experienced solar technicians and engineers as freelancers. In the areas of taxes, law, marketing and communication we are accompanied by professional partners in Germany and Ghana.
Innovation
EWIA provides small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa with access to clean solar energy, serving as a bridge builder to investors in Europe and for the transfer of technology know-how.
With a risk-diversified portfolio approach of companies from different sectors and in different regions, EWIA gives private and institutional investors access to attractive impact investments in Africa – in the fight against climate change and for sustainable economic recovery and a more equal distribution of wealth.
EWIA's product: Solar-as-a-Service (SaaS) enables African companies to get solar power, liquidity, security and service from a single source.
Commercial and industrial customers (=C&I customers) in Africa conclude a solar-as-a-service contract with EWIA and receive a customized turnkey solar plant without their own investment. EWIA takes care of maintenance, service and operation of the system. A web-based, manufacturer-independent remote monitoring ensures that the solar plant works and that faults are quickly detected and rectified by maintenance companies.
Benefits:
- Own solar plant according to solar-as-a-service contract
- No investment costs and no or only low additional monthly (electricity) costs
- Plannable electricity costs over the contract term (flat rate)
- Environmentally friendly "own" solar power
- Independence from the electricity supplier
- Secure and predictable return for user and investor
Product
EWIA Solar
Provider of industrial solar solutions as a full-service package (planning, financing, installation, monitoring and operation) for medium-sized companies.
EWIA links all individual transactions into one business process for its customers. Advantage for the customers: Hardly any time effort, no investment costs and no or only low additional running costs, because their electricity cost savings usually cover the monthly Solar-as-a-Service rate and after 7-12 years EWIA customers are owners of their solar system.
Business EWIA Infrastructure
Pre-financing of the construction of cellular transmission towers and solar-based automatic traffic monitoring systems (IVS), among other infrastructure measures, as well as the equipping of existing telecommunication facilities with solar systems and storage in order to replace grid and/or diesel generator power with cheap and environmentally friendly solar power and to reduce energy costs for the operators of the transmission towers.
Unique Selling Proposition
... for companies (customers):
Flexible financing model
EWIA's core business is a flexible, all-encompassing financing model
Customized PV systems
Suitable PV systems with battery storage, if necessary, according to the demand and load profile of the corporate customers.
Best quality standards
Own clearly defined EWIA quality standard. EWIA solar plants are approved by internal and external as well as partly German engineers after construction.
Online monitoring
Manufacturer-independent monitoring for all plants
Extended value chain
Technological in-house competence
... for investors
Portfolio approach for investors
Risk diversification through companies from different industries
2 pillars / diversified business model
Solar division with C&I business (financing of solar solutions for medium-sized companies)
Infrastructure division with access to the telecommunications market and video traffic technology
Local structures
Two companies successfully established on the market in Ghana
EWIA Green Investments West Africa Ltd., Accra, Ghana (Headquarters Solar Division West Africa)
Business model and distribution
The EWIA business model enables local economies in Africa to cost-effectively and sustainably produce their own solar power for self-consumption, meeting the exact needs of the market for an affordable sustainable energy supply.
Electricity from the grid is not only expensive, but also very unreliable. Companies in Africa with a high or constant demand for electricity therefore cannot get by today without a backup with a diesel generator.
The economic damage caused by severe network fluctuations and power outages can amount to up to 40 % of sales. At the same time, there is a permanent risk that the machines will break down. The companies therefore have diesel generators that provide expensive and environmentally harmful emergency power in case of (frequent) need.
Solar panels require little maintenance and are the ideal, most cost-effective and sustainable energy supply in Africa.
EWIA supplies its customers with customized turnkey PV plants and takes care of the operation. The customer receives everything from one source: consulting, planning, financing, assembly & service of the PV plant.
EWIA customers get
- Engineering Services Made in Germany
- cost-saving, clean solar systems
- a reliable power supply
- a tailor-made solar financing
EWIA takes over
- the operation
- the insurance of the PV systems
- Maintenance & Service and
- the remote monitoring
EWIA is successfully established in the market. With a grown network and cooperations as well as direct contacts to the business community in Ghana and neighbouring countries, EWIA has best access to potential customers/companies in the region. At the same time EWIA is successfully represented locally with a strong sales team.
EWIA has developed a multi-pronged approach to deliver solar systems to customers based on their needs, because each company has its own needs.
Whether in the food industry, manufacturing, construction or service sector, EWIA analyses electricity consumption, electricity costs and creates a customized load profile for the customer to find the right solution for each company.
EWIA analyses and evaluates customers' individual energy needs and electricity costs.
EWIA and its technology partners develop a suitable solar solution, if necessary, with a battery storage, and submit an individual financing offer to the customer for this with a constant monthly rate (flat rate) for the use of the system over the entire contract period.
EWIA builds the solar systems at the customer's site with experienced local solar partners.
EWIA and its partners take care of the operation, maintenance & service and online monitoring of the plant.
Customers can concentrate on their operational business and benefit from reliable green power with calculable electricity costs.
Until the end of the financing period, the solar plant remains the property of EWIA. At the end of the financing period, the system becomes the property of the customer for a symbolic price. The customer can then continue to generate and use his own solar power free of charge for several years. Only low maintenance costs are incurred by the company.
With low prime costs for solar technology and at the same time high solar irradiation, solar plants are the cheapest way to generate electricity in Africa today, given the high and further increasing electricity prices. They reduce the operating costs of companies in the long term, improve competitiveness and create / maintain local jobs.
Market and target group
The Compact with Africa was successfully established as a key project of the German G20 presidency in 2017. The aim of the Compact with Africa is to strengthen the necessary framework conditions for sustainable private investment and investment in infrastructure in the selected African countries. In West Africa, the countries include Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Senegal.
Growth market Africa
Africa is now the world's last great growth market and the opportunity continent.. GDP in Africa has tripled in the last 15 years, and per capita income has doubled. With an average growth of approx. 4,0 % p.a. until 2025, Africa's growth is above the global average.
A 4% economic growth p.a. means at the same time an increase in energy demand of 6-7% p.a.
The growth momentum in Africa is very much driven by the Internet and mobile telephony sectors. By 2030, around 60% of the continent should be connected to the digital broadband network, which means a fifteenfold increase in data transfer.
Power sector in Africa
- 500 million people out of 1.3 billion in Africa have no access to electricity
- Grid power supply is expensive and unstable (frequent power outages)
- Expensive backup through diesel generators
- High network expansion costs for centralized energy supply solutions
- Decentralized solutions increase independence from local energy suppliers while simultaneously reducing the company's own electricity costs in the long term
- Companies are interested in cost-effective, sustainable power supply, but shy away from the necessary investments
- Maintenance-intensive plants are problematic due to lack of know-how
Electricity market in selected African countries
For comparison: in Germany, the kilowatt hour for commercial and industrial customers cost 0.23 EUR (~0.27USD) (as of 2022 - Statista) and electricity consumption is 556,000 GWh/year
- In Africa, high electricity costs prevail with comparatively low electricity demand
- EWIA's expectation is that electricity prices in Africa will continue to rise, with consumption increasing sharply (+ 10-12 % p.a.).
Sun continent Africa
Africa has the greatest potential for solar energy in the world! "IRENA estimates the continent's technical solar potential at 7900 GW [...] (Renewable Energy Market Analysis 2022, Africa and its Regions, IRENA)
Because of its proximity to the equator and with between 1,800 and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, sub-Saharan Africa has very high potential for solar power generation.
However, with only 1% installed PV capacity, the potential in Africa is still virtually untapped!
The „Solarize Africa Accelerated“ scenario expects photovoltaics to develop in Africa in a similar way and at a similar pace as in other parts of the world and assumes 170 GW of installed capacity by 2030. According to this scenario, African markets will leapfrog the fossil age in parts, analogous to the experience in the telecommunications sector.
Typical yields in in Ghana: 1,350 kWh/kWp (in the south) up to 1,650 kWh/kWp (in the north).
Photovoltaics on the upswing in Africa
Between 2011 and 2020, solar capacity grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54 %, [...]. Solar capacity additions amounted to 10.4 GW over the last 10 years."(Renewable Energy Market Analysis 2022, Africa and its Regions, IRENA)
Strong growth in the C&I segment (Solar for SMEs)
Although large-scale systems still account for the largest share of installed PV capacity, C&I already account for almost 30 % of all PV installations in Africa. The annual growth of C&I at +61.5% is particularly remarkable. (Renewable Energy Market Analysis 2022, Africa and its Regions, IRENA).
As before, players offering companies high-quality and well-planned, i.e. suitable, solar solutions are in short supply in West Africa. The weak points, besides the planning, are the poor execution of the installations and the inadequate maintenance and cleaning of the PV systems.
EWIA operates in Africa in two target markets
1. Solar for medium-sized companies
customers from various industries
2. Construction of infrastructure projects solar for SMEs (C&I market)
Cell towers, traffic engineering, solar pumps
Africa's companies suffer high losses of about 15-20% of sales due to unstable power supply and resulting production losses.
Africa's businesses benefit financially from climate-friendly solar technology by reducing their energy costs by 40-60%, improving their carbon footprint and corporate image.
1. C&I market in Ghana
Ghana has a fast-growing, young, globally and digitally connected population of 31 million people. Approximately 18,000 public companies were registered in 2019.
There are over 5,000 potential customers in Ghana: Companies with high power consumption and high energy costs.
In Ghana, electricity prices are progressive, which means that companies with high electricity consumption have to pay a higher electricity tariff.
Companies suffer from persistent challenges:
- an unstable power supply
- the lack of access to affordable electricity and
- high energy costs
2. Infrastructure market in Ghana
Broadband, mobile communications and the Internet are the heart chambers of the digital economy. The infrastructure is in Africa but very unevenly distributed: An estimated 900 million people in Africa have no Internet connection. And those who do have access usually have to pay a lot for it and only have very little bandwidth.
Only 0.4 percent of the African population uses fixed broadband services, with the vast majority resorting to mobile broadband. In remote areas with patchy network coverage, there is a real need for mobile Internet. During the corona pandemic, many people without Internet access were cut off from education and health information. Manufacturing collapsed in many sectors. To accelerate Africa's post-pandemic economic recovery, rapid digitization is needed. And that needs energy.
There is hardly any traditional infrastructure such as fixed networks or broadband connections in Africa; instead, mobile technology is used. What the continent needs now, therefore, is the rapid expansion of cell towers!
Given the low mobile penetration and the large coverage gap, there are many business opportunities in the construction and operation of transmission towers and their power supply:
- Solar solutions can greatly reduce or eliminate the use of diesel generators
- Replacing diesel generators with PV systems can lead to savings of up to 65%
Africa's mobile communications industry
The mobile communications industry in Africa has been extremely strong and fast-growing and has thus contributed significantly to economic growth in the individual countries in recent years. This continues to offer great opportunities for mobile companies. Telecommunication companies are moving towards asset-light models through sale and leaseback or tower leases with tower operators.
Given the still low mobile penetration in Africa, the significant coverage gap and the upcoming 5G rollout, there are many new opportunities in the construction and operation of mobile infrastructure and especially transmission towers.
Almost all mobile tower operators in Africa are planning to equip their energy supply with solar solutions, among other things for cost and supply reasons. IHS Towers announced in 2021 that 45% of their transmission towers are already equipped with solar solutions.
All companies require their suppliers and service providers to have special certifications, proof of qualifications, safety training, equipment, etc.
Through the joint venture in Ghana, EWIA Infrastructure Ltd. has the required qualifications and belongs to the group of accredited companies in the mobile communications industry.
Infrastructure market in Africa
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Ghana's infrastructure spending has continued to grow significantly in recent years, in part due to more private and foreign capital being invested in Ghana in the infrastructure segment in addition to public funding.
Telecommunications towers
The telecommunications industry in Ghana has contributed to the growth of the economy of Ghana in recent years. Currently, more than 6,600 transmission towers are being newly built or existing towers are being equipped with solar solutions (revitalized) in Ghana to replace diesel generators due to the rising cost of grid power and diesel.
Transport infrastructure projects
The market for intelligent traffic management and video surveillance systems (IVS), which are equipped with solar technology, is expected to show strong growth in Ghana by 2025. Ghana's planned investment volume here is over 200 million US dollars.
Video surveillance and traffic safety systems
Video surveillance and traffic safety systems are increasingly deployed and built in all cities. At the moment, there are over 1,000 projects on the market for construction in Ghana. There is also increasing demand for automatic traffic guidance systems and license plate recognition (APR). In Ghana, there are only two companies capable of performing this task, with 600 projects currently offered on the market.
Goals and use of capital
Rollout of the business model in sub-Saharan Africa
In addition to financing normal business operations at the existing locations, EWIA is planning to expand its operating business in Ghana in both the C&I and infrastructure sectors. For this purpose, additional technically qualified employees will be hired in Ghana and the back office will be strengthened at the Munich location.
Furthermore, EWIA plans to expand into other African countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Kenya. Furthermore, beyond East Africa, a rollout to the Southern Africa region is planned in the next but one step!
EWIA 2.0 - Rollout Westafrika & Ostafrika
- Examination of the financing of projects in different countries
- Examination of the legal and fiscal framework
Successes to date
EWIA is now successfully established as a brand in the market. This applies to the C&I solar market as well as to the field of infrastructure project construction, where EWIA successfully held cooperation talks with all major players last year.
Milestones in our corporate history
2019: From the idea to the business model
The founding team: Ralph Schneider, Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Fugger und Timo Schäfer came together and developed the idea into a successful business model, culminating in the product „Solar-as-a-Service“(the financing of customized solar solutions for commercial and industrial customers).
2020: Laying of the foundation stone
- Foundation of the companies in Germany and Ghana
- Hiring of the first employee Nana Kwadwo Adu-Boateng as Sales Director in Ghana
- Trip to Ghana in October 2020 for signing of first preliminary agreements (MOU)
2021: Financing of the first solar projects
- Construction and financing of the first solar plants in Koforidua, Kumasi and Tamale
- Successful financing round at FunderNation in the amount of EUR 840.000
- Cooperation agreement among others with AFREECA (Link: https://afreeca.eu/) Germany/Ghana and Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana) (Link: https://www.ghana.ahk.de/) for Biz4Jobs, Ewind Berlin
- Relocation to the Company House with sufficient space for the company's expansion goals
2022: Proof-of-Concept
- First satisfied Solar-as-a-Service customers in Tamale (hotel) and Takoradi (microfinance bank: Credit Union)
- Another three solar-as-a-service solar plants are being built in Kumasi. Customers are from the health, tourism and food industry sectors
- Development and adoption of own EWIA quality standard for photovoltaic system incl. manufacturer independent monitoring system.
- Successful completion of first infrastructure pilot projects (4 cell towers and 20 ITS systems) and establishment of joint venture EWIA Infrastructure
- First re-financing of EWIA solar portfolio - proof-of-concept of our business model: EWIA's Solar-as-a-Service product is attractive for African companies and for European investors
2023: Expansion
- First 23 EWIA infrastructure projects completed in Feb. 2023, including 6 new solar installations for telecom towers
- Commissioning of 3 solar projects including battery storage in Kumasi
Project pipeline
The project pipeline in Ghana currently comprises a volume of more than EUR 15 million and ranges from
- Hotels und Lodges,
- private hospitals and private schools,
- Food production and processing companies,
- Beverage producers,
- Textile production,
- Shea butter processing for the cosmetics industry,
- Plastics manufacturing and recycling,
- Tile adhesive manufacturer up to a
- Cement factory and a quarry for gravel.
Other
Press:
- Münchner Merkur: Die Betonung liegt auf „Sonne“ (Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Fugger, 06/21
- Mühlacker Tageblatt: Sternenfelser sorgt für grünen Strom (Timo Schäfer, 03/21)
- Leutze Verlag: Photovoltaik: Strom für Afrikas Mittelstand (Ralph Schneider, 06/21)
- EnergieAgentur NRW: Gewußt wie – Investition in PV-Projekte in Afrika (Ralph Schneider, 06/21)
- Börsenzeitung: Die Klimawende betet Chancen in und für Afrika (Dr. Fugger und Martin Schöller, 11/21)
- Greenspotting Online-Nachrichtenportal:
- Kleines Geld, große Wirkung – Sonnenkraft für Afrika (Dr. Fugger, 04/21)
- Geld + Wasser + Sonne = Strom + mehr Ernte (Dr. Fugger, 04/21)
- “Die Welt wird einfach ehrlicher” (CM-Equity, Michael Kott, 05/21)
- Grünes Gastgeschenk für Ghana (Dr. Fugger, 06/21)
- Solarstrom für Ananas-Konservenfabrik in Ghana, (Dr. Fugger, 07/21)
- Endspurt beim Crowdfunding für den Münchner Solaranlagen-Finanzierer EWIA
- (Dr. Fugger, 12/21)
- EWIA finanziert erste vier Solarprojekte in Ghana, (Dr. Fugger, 12/21)
- Viertelmillion-Investment in EWIA, (Dr. Fugger, 12/21)
Talks @ "Der Österreichische Nachhaltigkeitspodcast":
- Solarenergie in Afrika - "Wo Dieselgeneratoren Strom erzeugen, könnte ein Solarpanel stehen" (Ralph Schneider, 11/21)
Social Media
- Joe Rankl: Social Media Beratung, Content Produktion und Marketing (Facebook, Instagram)
- SCHWARZ FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION: Content Produktion (LinkedIn, Xing, etc. Newsletter)
Videos
- Kostengünstiger Sonnenstrom für Afrikas Unternehmen (PITCH Video 2021: EWIA Green Investments GmbH)
- EWIA 2.0 Rollout Sub-Sahara Afrika (PITCH Video 2023: EWIA Green Investments GmbH)
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