By Matṧeliso Phulane
The national technical expert and project coordinator of UNIDO, ‘Marorisang Makututsa, has urged entrepreneurs who managed to make it to the semi- finals of the joint Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), not to focus on funding but to build knowledge which will help them improve their businesses.
Makututsa noted that most entrepreneurs’ expectations are basically on funding, but the programme’s focus is not mainly on that. It is on helping them to gain knowledge improve their businesses as well as to secure business partners.
Makututsa made these remarks at a four-day training by the ministry of natural resources on joint Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), for both Lesotho and GCIP South Africa which started on Monday at Thaba Bosiu and ended yesterday.
GCIP is driven by United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) with the support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The initiative was launched last year in Lesotho with the aim to identify, nurture, and accelerate innovative clean technology start-ups and entrepreneurs.
By providing SMEs with the necessary resources, mentorship, and guidance, the programme aims to catalyse their growth and enable them to bring their ground-breaking ideas to the market.
Makututsa said they made a call for the applications in April which ended in June. They receive 32 applications and short-listed 17 companies which qualified for the semi-finals.
From CCIP South Africa there were about 100 applications but only 26 were considered for the semi-finals.
Among others, companies such as: Moscet, Mahlaseli Energy, Khantsa Energy, Kaeane Renewable Energy Developers, Soilisoili Hydroponic Farm Produce Company, Baholo Aviation Services and St Organics made it through.
Makututsa added that for the companies to make it to the finals, it depends on how they make use of the training to improve their businesses, thus the knowledge, guidance as well as mentors from the trainers will reveal who the finalists are.
In his opening remarks, the acting principal secretary of the ministry of natural resources, Habofanoe Makopela, said the GCIP Lesotho Cleantech Accelerator programme marks a significant milestone in their commitment to foster innovation, promote sustainable development, and address the pressing challenges of climate change.
“The world is faced with the urgent need to transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, and it is our responsibility to take decisive action to mitigate these effects,” he said.
Makopela indicated that the GCIP represents a vital step in this direction. Lesotho and the global community have committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular SDG 13 which expresses member states’ obligation to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
“This strategy re-enforces the government of Lesotho’s commitment to directly engage Basotho, empowering individuals and encouraging participation in the development process.
“My ministry has also committed to embark on promotion of cleaner forms of energy and technologies to reduce the degree of associated emission of greenhouse gases typical of unfriendly energy carried,” Makopela pointed out.
The programme does not only support the growth of clean technology businesses but also contributes to job creation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
