SF partner VentureBuilder recently led an investment round that enabled an off-grid solar company to secure financing of more than US$1 million in Mali. The investment represents VentureBuilder’s first investment since being established, with funding from SF, USAID and DOEN Foundation, to support locally-owned and managed energy enterprises with early-stage equity financing and enterprise development…
Covid-19 lockdowns have caused a significant reduction in public transportation services to stop the spread of the virus, presenting a huge challenge for those whose business relies on supplying affordable and safe mobility services. Shell Foundation has supported SafeBoda since 2015. Modernising informal travel in East Africa, the ride hailing app brings together a community…
Shell Foundation are proud of the diverse ways in which our partners have stepped up during this crisis. In its recent newsletter, SF’s long-standing partner GroFin outlined a number of initiatives they have initiated to help their SME clients during Covid-19. These initiatives include: Developed a Covid-19 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework drawing on international…
The mobility service sector has been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 crisis, with extended lockdowns preventing businesses providing transport of people and goods. A new article published on The City Fix website however, demonstrates the opportunities contained within mobility start-ups’ business pivots and highlights the increased understanding of the value of more resilient, cleaner,…
SF partner S4S Technologies has been recognised by the prestigious Ashden Awards 2020. India based organisation S4S was presented with the Energy and Livelihoods Award for its innovative solar dryers which cut food waste and support women entrepreneurs. The patented solar conduction dryers can dehydrate a wide range of harvested crops, including fruit, vegetables, grains and spices, with minimal…
SMV Green Solutions (SMV) has been an SF partner since 2015 and works to provide safe, clean and affordable sustainable mobility solutions. Through its “Project Vahini” programme – supported by the UK Government – SMV also promotes gender inclusion and has so far helped over 70 women e-rickshaw drivers become owners of their own vehicle.…
SF partner Easy Matatu, one of the earliest stage companies in our portfolio, has eagerly risen to the Covid-19 relief effort challenge. Easy Matatu is reforming the existing, informal minibus-taxis (known as “matatus”) industry by building a community of trusted matatu drivers and a fleet of clean and safe vehicles to provide first-rate transportation to…
The current global pandemic has significantly reduced access to basic necessities. In rural India there is daily pressure to find reliable food supplies. S4S Technologies installs solar powered dehydrators at farm level to convert fruit and vegetables into dehydrated products. Operating across the entire value chain, S4S significantly reduces post-harvest loss and assures that revenue…
India-based logistics organisation Tusker joins the growing list of SF partners who are coming to people’s aid during the Covid-19 pandemic. Getting essential items to people in remote areas of India can be very challenging. Tusker uses its logistics system to enable rural crowd-sourced freight transportation to deliver to outlying towns and villages and address…
Data and sector coordination is vital as we seek to maintain essential energy services to low income consumers across Africa and Asia. Shell Foundation partner Odyssey, who we have supported since 2017 with co-funding from the UK government and USAID, have been working to utilise their online platform to provide the mini-grid sector with project…