Zim youth bags global green energy award

AN advocate of smart energy and founder of Economic Capital Fund, Mr Simbarashe Gwenzi, scooped the best prize under the Global Innovations for Renewable Energy category at the Global Youth4Climate Conference held in Italy last week.

Mr Gwenzi won the accolade through his project Green Energy Accelerator (GEA), which offers cost-effective energy solutions for small and medium enterprises.

Initially, there were 1 100 global applicants from which GEA was shortlisted to be among the top 30 innovations, before it went on to scoop the top prize.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Mr Gwenzi described the award as a huge achievement in promoting smart energy.

“This award is not only for our organisation and its partners but also for Zimbabwean and African youths who are working hard to find smart energy solutions that are environmentally friendly, as we continue to face challenges such as climate change, which affects us every day,” he said.

He paid tribute to the Second Republic for implementing policies that give youths opportunities to launch stellar innovations.

“We also see this award as a result of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa. Vision 2030 supports innovations by the youths and it gives us the inspiration to contribute to making our country an upper middle-income economy.

“Nationally, the GEA stands as a beacon of economic innovation and growth, driven by the untapped potential of our youth and women. Amid the climate change exigency, our initiative is a testament to a proactive shift towards green energy, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility,” he added.

The GEA has been initiated in Dete, Hurungwe North, Mashaba and Gwanda South.