Ghanaian start-up Sustainable Energy Technologies Limited (SETECH) has won the Ghanaian stage of the EDF Pulse Africa innovation contest.

As the winner of the Ghanaian edition, SETECH will participate in the Grand Final which will take place in Paris in November.

SETECH produces biomass gasifier stoves with a thermoelectric generator providing affordable and clean energy for cooking and lighting for off-grid households.

They use innovative business models to enhance access to low-income households, addressing the lack of energy access. The 12v TEG will help generate electricity for 5 bulbs and battery charging. 

The challenge aims to reveal and support African innovators committed to the continent's energy development and has been present in Ghana since its launch three years ago.

Created in 2017, the challenge EDF Pulse Africa aims to support the entrepreneurial dynamic in Africa.

It does this with two main goals; first, to identify potential partners by discovering the "technological nuggets" of the continent and to support innovation by involving local entrepreneurs in the development of innovative offers.
 
For the 3rd edition of the challenge, EDF has launched the EDF Pulse Africa Tour: an African tour spanning seven countries of the continent, aimed at selecting candidates closest to their original economic context.

The winner of each national edition is awarded a place in the Grand Final, which will take place in Paris in November.
 
The third of the seven stages of the Tour took place in Ghana, on Tuesday in which five national start-ups had been selected to compete in the Ghanaian final.

They presented energy solutions in the following 3 categories: off-grid power generation; electrical power applications and services; access to water through the use of electricity (farming and drinking water).

Entrepreneurs pitched and defended their projects before a panel of experts such as: Anne-Sophie AVE, French Ambassador in Ghana; Oliver Boachie, Special advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Ashwin Ravichandran, Managing director MEST Africa; William Senyo, Co-founder & CEO Impact Hub Accra; Stephen Essien, Country managing director ZEGHA.