Startup Story
As the founder and CEO of Energie d’Afrique, Soukaina Bouba Dalil is an engineer in renewable energy. She is 26 years old and comes from the far north region of Cameroon, a rather vulnerable part of the country. It is important to know that the effects of climate change in this part of the region are unavoidable on crops, water and energy resources. As an advocate of sustainable development, Soukaina felt challenged and this is where the idea of her entrepreneurial adventure started in order to meet primary needs and bring sustainable economic and ecological solutions in areas with energy deficits. The company is young, dynamic and is deployed all over the country, and its activities fully contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives.
LoA chatted to the impact driven Soukaina Bouba Dalil this month to find out more.
What does your company do?
As its name indicates, Energie d'Afrique aims to solve the problems of electrical energy, cooking energy, in Africa in general and in Cameroon in particular. The company was launched in 2018 and specializes in the following areas:
Construction, equipment and maintenance of bio-digesters for biogas and electricity
The manufacture of biomass cookers and solar dryers
It also offers services in the installation of off-grid solar power plants
“The company Energie d'Afrique was born out of the desire to promote renewable energy in a context of a glaring energy deficit.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The energy deficit is truly palpable in Africa and affects all social strata, especially the poorest. When we see the impressive natural resources (sun, biomass), we say to ourselves that we can't just sit back and do nothing with the skills we have acquired. Energie d'Afrique was born out of the desire to promote renewable energy in a context of a glaring energy deficit. It works to solve the problems of energy supply by developing simpler and more adapted systems.
What makes your business, service or product special?
The company develops synergies that highlight cross-cutting competences that integrate the gender aspect. Our marketing approach is based on reliability, speed, efficiency and commitment. Our specialism lies in the following:
Quality service at affordable costs
Respect for deadlines and technical standards
After-sales services
“The company works to solve the problems of energy supply by developing simpler and more adapted systems.”
“Our ambition is to supply the entire Central African sub-region with energy from renewable and sustainable resources.”
Tell us a little about your team
The team is composed of several engineers. We have a project engineer who is in charge of the conception, the implementation and the execution of the projects entrusted to the company. We have a QHSE engineer (quality, hygiene, safety and environment) who is in charge of the environmental impact measures and the safety measures for goods and people. We also have a computer scientist who develops the digital aspect of the company and manages the website. We also have a legal accountant.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Entrepreneurship in our environment is not an easy thing to do, especially in a field where you only see a lot of women and a lot of men. You have to be rigorous, have common sense, be bold and have a lot of commitment. The challenges are numerous, but we have the right mindset. I do not come from an entrepreneurial background. At the end of my studies, my parents were directing me towards a decent job. they certainly encouraged my studies and my success in the academic field.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our ambition is to supply the entire Central African sub-region with energy from renewable and sustainable resources. We want to make the costs very accessible and popularize green technologies. We want to open long-term training centres to ensure the transfer of skills and to reduce unemployment.
“We want to make the costs very accessible and popularize green technologies. We want to open long-term training centres to ensure the transfer of skills and to reduce unemployment.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
My satisfaction lies in my contribution to the development of society and in the impact I make on people. Also when clients are satisfied and give positive feedback.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
We women must be more involved in the development of our society and this requires education, training, information, competence, passion and productivity.
Contact or follow Energie d’Afrique
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | EMAIL soukainaboubadalil@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Africa needs innovative and sustainable energy solutions if it is to really grow into the economic powerhouse that is has the potential to be. Those energy solutions need to come from not just governments, but from entrepreneurs too, who think ‘out of the box’ and look to renewable energy sources for the answer. Soukaina Bouba Dalil is one such entrepreneur, bringing her engineering experience to her green energy technology business. Soukaina is a game changer, and her business is positively changing lives each day thanks to her vision and mission at Energie d’Afrique. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa