Energy conglomerate Sahara Group has called on young Africans to transform the continent’s energy challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities, urging them to design innovative solutions that address Africa’s development gaps.
The company made the call during the 2026 Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Certification Programme hosted recently by the University of Lagos, where it reinforced its ‘Beyond Energy’ philosophy.
Now in its third year, the EIBIC Programme is designed as a learning platform to help students begin their academic journey with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
According to a statement, Sahara Group delivered a thought leadership session titled ‘Becoming a M.A.D. Entrepreneur: Powering Africa’s Energy Future’ at the event, framing entrepreneurship as a mindset anchored in ‘Making A Difference’.
The company was also honoured with the EIBIC Champion Award in recognition of its support and partnership with the university.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, commended the company for promoting innovation and enterprise among young Africans.
“We are delighted to have Sahara Group as a trusted partner on different projects as we continue to transform academic excellence in UNILAG,” Ogunsola said.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, said the partnership aligns with the company’s commitment to building a mindset among young Africans that goes beyond conventional energy thinking.
“Beyond Energy’ is about recognising that Africa’s future will be built by people who are equipped to think differently, collaborate boldly and act responsibly. Through EIBIC, we are deliberately shaping mindsets that see energy poverty and sustainability challenges as opportunities to create lasting value,” Obioma said.
Also speaking, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray, highlighted the need for responsible innovation to address Africa’s energy access deficit.
“Africa faces the widest energy access gap globally. Closing it will require solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and designed for long-term impact. The M.A.D. Entrepreneur framework encourages young people to build resilience, embrace sustainability and collaborate across disciplines to deliver solutions that truly make a difference,” Gray stated.
Emphasising that youths do not need permission to take action, Gray added that “energy access cuts across policy, finance, law, insurance, healthcare delivery, behavioural science, construction and communications, requiring multidisciplinary solutions”.
During the session, students were introduced to pay-as-you-go solar models that have demonstrated how households and micro-enterprises can access electricity despite low incomes, enabling them to improve productivity and participate in the formal economy.
The engagement also spotlighted solar-powered cold storage and cooling technologies designed to tackle Africa’s cooling crisis by reducing food waste, protecting farmer livelihoods and stabilising food supply chains.
In addition, participants explored circular bioenergy models that convert agricultural waste into electricity and clean cooking fuel, presenting new pathways for expanding rural energy access while unlocking local economic value.
