Funding clean tech projects in Africa

On the 17th and 18th of October 2011 the Viridis Africa conference is to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The event is dedicated to the introduction of clean technologies and associated business/investment opportunities.

 The intention of Viridis Africa is to bring together investors and entrepreneurs from Africa and rest of the world, to jointly explore commercial initiatives in green technologies.

 The program includes presentation of specific projects or business initiatives, ranging in size and scope and encompassing most of the priority areas such as bioenergy, hydro, wind power, green chemistry, recycling, water treatment, desalination, amongst others.

 According to conference organiser, Suza Adam, managing member of Spindle Communications, “principals who would present their business opportunities at this event would have the audience of numerous local and foreign investors. Investors would include venture capital, private equity, project and corporate finance outfits and others dedicated to the clean tech sector. Also included are major companies who seek strategic alliance and acquisitions.”

 Among the projects being presented is a bioethanol and a biomass production project in Mozambique, a biogas project in Kwa-Zulu Natal, 15 MW hydro projects in Kenya, a biofuel project in Malawi and RD Congo, and a plastic recycling operation in Nigeria.

Other projects to be confirmed in the program line-up include solar, energy projects, waste management and water treatment innovative solutions.

 New technologies currently being developed by academic and research institutions will also have their opportunity so as to introduce potential business opportunities through the commercialization of the above.

 The event will have amongst its presenters leading financial institutions including the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, Investec Limited, Threelawscapital, Lereko Metier, Inspired Evolution, as well as leading utilities in energy (Eskom) and water.

 “Additional business proposals are invited from clean tech sub-sectors including clean energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, clean coal technologies), storage (fuel cells, advanced batteries, hybrid systems), efficiency (smart grids, waste heat recovery), water & waste water (water treatment, water conservation, waste water treatment, desalination) and recycling and waste (recycling, waste treatment, organic matter, plastics) etc.” says Adam.

 The event will also introduce parties with complimentary technologies and business models to one another in order to explore mutually beneficial opportunities.

 “In the main the conference and its exhibition will endeavour to bring about a vibrant market trading place for entrepreneurs and corporates to propose and conclude investment deals with funders”, concludes Adam.

 Although the event is to be held once a year, it is designed to give the participants long term continuity vis a vis  the provision of web-based interaction platforms, inducing social networks.

 For more information about the conference: please visit us at www.viridisafrica.com.